Animistic: meaning, definitions and examples

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animistic

 

[ ˌænɪˈmɪstɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

philosophical belief

Animistic refers to the belief that all objects, places, and creatures possess a spiritual essence. This perspective suggests that non-human entities should be treated with respect and are deserving of consideration due to their inherent spirit.

Synonyms

spiritual, supernatural, totemic

Examples of usage

  • Many indigenous cultures hold animistic beliefs.
  • Animistic traditions influence their relationship with nature.
  • The animistic view is present in various folk religions.

Translations

Translations of the word "animistic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 animista

🇮🇳 जीवात्मवादियों

🇩🇪 animistisch

🇮🇩 animisme

🇺🇦 анімізм

🇵🇱 animistyczny

🇯🇵 アニミズム的な

🇫🇷 animiste

🇪🇸 animista

🇹🇷 animistik

🇰🇷 애니미즘의

🇸🇦 أنيمية

🇨🇿 animistický

🇸🇰 animistický

🇨🇳 泛灵论的

🇸🇮 animističen

🇮🇸 animískur

🇰🇿 анимистік

🇬🇪 ანიმისტური

🇦🇿 animist

🇲🇽 animista

Etymology

The term 'animistic' derives from the Latin word 'anima', meaning 'soul' or 'spirit', which was adapted in the 19th century to describe a specific belief system prevalent among various cultures. The concept of animism suggests that the world is inhabited by spirits that connect all living beings and the environment. This perspective can be traced back to ancient beliefs and practices, where natural elements such as trees, rivers, and animals were thought to embody spiritual forces. As anthropologists began to study indigenous traditions, they utilized the term to categorize and understand the diverse ways in which different societies interpret the world around them. The idea of treating nature with reverence has gained renewed interest in contemporary discussions about environmental ethics and spirituality.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,817 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.