/ ˈænɪmɪzəm; NAmE / noun [ U ]
1.
the belief that plants, objects and natural things such as the weather have a living soul
2.
belief in a power that organizes and controls the universe
► ani·mist / ˈænɪmɪst; NAmE / noun
► ani·mis·tic / ˌænɪˈmɪstɪk; NAmE / adjective
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: from Latin anima life, soul + -ism .