anima etymology

Etymology

The word "anima" derives from the Latin noun "animus", which means "soul", "mind", or "spirit". The term was originally used to refer to a vital force or principle that was believed to animate all living beings.

Meaning

In its modern usage, "anima" has a variety of related meanings:

  • Psychology (C.G. Jung): The feminine aspect of the male psyche, complementing the masculine "animus".
  • Philosophy: The spiritual or mental aspect of a being, as opposed to the physical body.
  • Alchemistry: The female principle or element.
  • Religion (Christianity): The soul of a person.
  • Biology: The inner, vital part of something.

Origin

The Latin word "animus" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*h₂enh₂-", meaning "to breathe". This root is also found in other words related to life and vitality, such as "animal" and "animate".

anima relate terms

  • animus

    Etymology Latin animus meaning mind spirit soul courage Meaning Psychology

  • mundane

    Etymology Mundane derives from the Latin word mundānus meaning of the world It

  • animus

    Etymology Latin animus meaning mind spirit soul courage Meaning Psychology

  • anima

    Etymology The word anima derives from the Latin noun animus which means soul min

  • animate

    Etymology The word animate comes from the Latin word animare meaning to give life

  • animation

    Etymology The word animation derives from the Latin word animare meaning to enliven

  • Magnificat

    Etymology Magnificat is a Latin word derived from the first word of the canticle Magn

  • animal

    Etymology The word animal comes from the Latin word animalis meaning having life o

  • deer

    Etymology The word deer comes from the Old English word dēor which is derived from

  • anemone

    Etymology The word anemone originates from the Greek word anemone meaning daughter

  • self

    Etymology The word self has its roots in the Proto Indo European root swe which mean

  • dyslexia

    Etymology dys Greek root difficulty abnormality lexia Greek root word speech