anima

noun an·i·ma \ ˈa-nə-mə \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of anima

: an individual's true inner self that in the analytic psychology of C. G. Jung reflects archetypal ideals of conduct; also : an inner feminine part of the male personality — compare animus, persona

Recent Examples of anima from the Web

Others object to the theory’s creeping pan-psychism, the ancient belief that everything material, however, small, has some consciousness, including the universe itself, the anima mundi.

— jason pontin, WIRED, "How Do You Know You Are Reading This?," 2 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anima.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of anima

New Latin, from Latin, soul

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1923

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

anima

noun an·i·ma \ ˈan-ə-mə \

medical Definition of anima

1 : an individual's true inner self that in the analytic psychology of C. G. Jung reflects archetypal ideals of conduct; also : an inner feminine part of the male personality — compare animus, persona

2 in old pharmacy

a : the active ingredient of an animal or vegetable drug

b : a dried plant juice or an aqueous extract