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Animus: meaning, definitions and examples

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animus

 

[ ˈanəməs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in psychology

a usually prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent ill will

Synonyms

animosity, antipathy, hostility

Examples of usage

  • The criticism was rooted in animus towards the author.
  • She couldn't hide her animus towards her ex-husband.
Context #2 | Noun

in ancient Rome

a powerful inner force believed to be a dominating character trait in Roman culture

Synonyms

courage, spirit, vitality

Examples of usage

  • The Roman warrior's animus drove him to conquer new lands.
  • The concept of animus was deeply ingrained in Roman society.

Translations

Translations of the word "animus" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ánimus

🇮🇳 शत्रुता

🇩🇪 Feindseligkeit

🇮🇩 permusuhan

🇺🇦 внутрішній стан

🇵🇱 wrogość

🇯🇵 敵意（てきい）

🇫🇷 animosité

🇪🇸 animosidad

🇹🇷 düşmanlık

🇰🇷 적의

🇸🇦 عداء

🇨🇿 nepřátelství

🇸🇰 nepriateľstvo

🇨🇳 敌意

🇸🇮 neprijateljstvo

🇮🇸 fjandskapur

🇰🇿 қастық

🇬🇪 მტრულობა

🇦🇿 düşmənçilik

🇲🇽 animosidad

Word origin

The word 'animus' comes from Latin, where it originally meant 'the rational soul, life, or courage.' In ancient Rome, animus was believed to be a powerful inner force that drove individuals to act with courage and determination. Over time, the meaning of animus evolved to include a more negative connotation, referring to ill will or hostility. Today, 'animus' is used in both psychological and historical contexts to describe intense feelings or motivations.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,880, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.