animus
noun
Hostility or ill feeling; a motivating spirit or underlying purpose. In psychology, the masculine part of a woman's personality.
Etymology
From Latin "animus" (spirit, mind, courage), related to Greek "anemos" (wind). The breath/spirit/mind connection appears across Indo-European languages.
Examples in Use
- 1.
"There was no personal animus behind the business decision."
- 2.
"The animus driving the reform movement was genuine concern."
- 3.
"Political animus prevented constructive dialogue."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
Jung used "animus" for the unconscious masculine aspect of women, complementing "anima" (the feminine aspect in men). These concepts remain influential in analytical psychology despite controversy about gender essentialism.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 6 letters (A, N, I, M, U, S)
Scrabble Value: 8 points
Tip: The letter pattern in "ANIMUS" appears in many related words.
Put Your Vocabulary to the Test!
Ready to find words like "animus" in a puzzle? Try today's Zabble challenge!