animatistic

9.9

A belief that natural things like rivers, trees, and mountains have spirits or a special power

adjective
/ˌænɪməˈtɪstɪk/

Specialized

: animatista

An animatistic worldview sees mountains and rivers as sources of supernatural energy.

Examples

The tribe's rituals are deeply animatistic, emphasizing the spirits believed to inhabit natural objects.
Anthropologists have documented animatistic practices in several indigenous societies.
The animatistic beliefs of the indigenous tribe were fascinating.
Many cultures have animatistic views about nature.
An animatistic worldview sees mountains and rivers as sources of supernatural energy.
Anthropologists have documented animatistic practices in several indigenous societies.
The tribe's rituals are deeply animatistic, emphasizing the spirits believed to inhabit natural objects.

Synonyms

animistic

vsanimatistic

1 9.9

Relating to the belief that natural things like trees and rivers have spirits

attributes impersonal forces rather than personal souls

fetishistic

vsanimatistic

1 9.4

Believing that objects have magical power and people worship them

attributes a power to all objects and places instead of a few

supernaturalist

vsanimatistic

1 9.0

Relating to belief in powers that are not part of nature

is specific about power in ordinary things rather than broad supernatural belief

supernaturalistic

vsanimatistic

9.9

Relating to belief in ghosts, spirits, or forces beyond nature

focuses on power in every object and place rather than general beings

Surface Forms

animatistic positive

Morphology

animatistic = animatism (semi-transparent) = animatism + istic

Regular adjective formation from the noun 'animatism' using '-istic' to mean 'relating to or characteristic of'.

Etymology

Animatistic comes from the Latin root anima, which means 'breath' or 'soul', and is the same root behind animate and animation. So to be animatistic is to think that objects, places, or creatures have a kind of life or spirit.