animist
1
9.3
- noun
- /ˈænɪmɪst/
:
animista
- Many traditional tribes are known for being animists, as they believe that animals and plants possess spirits.
Examples
-
He says they were animists who worshipped earth, sun, water, and wind spirits in the form of stone deities they carried with them.
Blog text (25) -
As an animist, she feels a deep connection to the forest, believing that every tree has its own spirit.
-
As animists, they believe that when they die and turn into spirits, these markings will help them recognize each other in the spirit world.
Academic text (2006) -
As animists who practice spirit worship, they believe that when they die, these markings will help them recognize each other in the spirit world.
Academic text (2006) -
So the Indians fought to remain who they were—stone age hunter-gathering animists—in a word, Indians.
Blog text (15) -
Although Buddhism is the state religion and the king must be a Buddhist, freedom of religion is respected for the nation's Muslims, Christians, Taoists, and Animists.
Academic text (1995) -
The animists within the community celebrate nature, holding rituals that honor the souls of the Earth.
Antonyms
- Specialized
7
7.7
A person who believes only physical things exist and mind comes from the brain
Surface Forms
Morphology
animist = animism (semi-transparent) = anim + ist
Built from 'animism' + '-ist'; the combining form 'anim-' means 'soul/spirit' but is not a standalone English word, so learners who do not know 'animism' may not fully infer the doctrinal meaning.
Etymology
Animist comes from the Latin word anima, which means 'breath', 'life', or 'soul', and you can see the same root in animal and animate. So an animist is a person who believes that rivers, trees, and other parts of nature have a living spirit.