n. [ Cf. F. animisme, fr. L. anima soul. See Animate. ] 1. The doctrine, taught by Stahl, that the soul is the proper principle of life and development in the body. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. The belief that inanimate objects and the phenomena of nature are endowed with personal life or a living soul; also, in an extended sense, the belief in the existence of soul or spirit apart from matter. Tylor. [ 1913 Webster ]