Etymologically
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animatio

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 18:06. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [a.nɪˈmaː.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [a.niˈmat.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

animātiō f (genitive animātiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from animō “to give life to” with the suffix -tiō, from anima “breath, soul”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC, and the OLD gives a single sense, a form of life.[4][2]

Semantic evolution

It meant a form of life, a living being.[2][5] Lewis & Short call it extremely rare and cite Tertullian for the quickening of a tree.[5]

British Medieval Latin used it for the infusion of a soul, vitality.[6] It gave English animation in the 1590s, first “action of imparting life”.[3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.[4]
  • c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses it of quickening.[5][4]
  • 1590s – English animation is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A form of life, living being.[2][5]
  2. A quickening, animation.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c d e Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press