The word "animus" (/'æ.nɪ.məs/) is spelled with five letters in English. Its IPA phonetic transcription shows the pronunciation of each sound in the word. The first sound, /'æ/, is a short a sound. The second sound, /n/, is the nasalized version of the "n" sound. The third sound, /ɪ/, is a short i sound. The fourth sound, /m/, is the "m" sound. The last sound, /əs/, is a schwa followed by the "s" sound. Together, these sounds form the word "animus," which means a feeling of strong dislike or enmity.
Animus is a noun that refers to a deep-seated feeling of strong dislike, hostility, or animosity towards someone or something. It denotes a strong negative attitude or aversion, often accompanied by a desire to harm, criticize, or oppose the target of this enmity. It typically arises from a strong feeling of resentment, anger, or bitterness towards a person, group, belief, or ideology.
The term is often used to describe a specific intention or motive behind an action or statement, emphasizing its negative or aggressive nature. For example, one might speak of someone carrying out an action with animus, meaning that they are doing so out of hostility or with ill will. This notion of animus is often associated with a sense of personal animosity or vendetta, where one is motivated by a desire to harm or take revenge on someone.
In psychological context, animus refers to the masculine component within the psyche of a woman, as proposed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. In this sense, animus represents the unconscious masculine qualities present in the female psyche and influences a woman's thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. The animus plays a significant role in Carl Jung's theory of individuation, which explores the integration and reconciliation of the opposites within one's psyche to achieve a balanced personality.
The feeling that prompts; purpose; temper.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "animus" comes from Latin. Its etymology can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *ane-, meaning "to breathe" or "to blow". In Latin, it developed into "animus", which originally meant "soul", "mind", or "intellect". This Latin term expanded in various directions of meaning, eventually encompassing notions such as "courage", "intent", or "feelings". Today, "animus" is often used to refer to a deep-seated feeling of hostility or animosity.