I. ˈanəmə̇t, sometimes -ˌmāt, usu -d.+V adjective
Etymology: Middle English animat, from Latin animatus, past participle of animare to quicken, enliven, endow with breath or soul, from anima breath, soul; akin to Old English ōthian, ēthian to breathe, Old Frisian omma breath, Old Norse önd, gen. andar breath, life, soul, Gothic uz anan to breathe one's last, expire, Latin animus soul, mind, Greek anemos breath, wind, Sanskrit aniti he breathes
1. : possessing life : alive , living
primitive worship of animate and inanimate objects
2.
a. : of, relating to, or associated with animal life as opposed to plant life
the vast range of animate and inanimate life
b. : marked by movement belonging to or suggesting the movement of animal life : moving : not static
the swiftly flowing river was the only thing animate in the valley
3. : full of life : possessing to an intensive degree the qualities of a living being or suggesting such qualities : vivacious , animated , spirited , lively
her happy laughter and the animate sparkle of her eyes
4. of a grammatical gender : referring typically to living things or to things considered as living — opposed to inanimate
• an·i·mate·ly adverb
• an·i·mate·ness noun -es
II. -ˌmāt, usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to give spirit and support to : stimulate to courage and perseverance : encourage or cheer up
animating the tired men with a kind word
2.
a. : to give life to : make alive : bring to life : fill with life
the mysterious vital force that animates the cells of the body
b. : to permeate deeply in such a way as to stimulate and enliven
the forward-reaching spirit of inquiry which animated the study of logic — R.W.Southern
c. : to give vigor and vitality to : impart zest and color to : add sharply heightened interest and life to : brighten up
an unusual gaiety … animated her conversation and actions — Osbert Sitwell
a smile animated his face
3. : to move to action : motivate , prompt , incite : stir up
all this apparatus of research animated the young historians — Van Wyck Brooks
4. : to make, build, equip, or design in such a way that automatic, apparently spontaneous, and often lifelike movement is effected
a miniature city of the future, completely animated — Ford Times
animated puppets
5.
a. : to produce in the form of an animated cartoon or of an animation
three of the scenes in the musical will be animated by a New York studio
b. : to contribute to (the production of an animated cartoon or of an animation) by drawings or photographic work
West Coast artists will animate the last part of the film
Synonyms: see quicken