ANIMISM

animism

(noun) the doctrine that all natural objects and the universe itself have souls; “animism is common among primitive peoples”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

animism (countable and uncountable, plural animisms)

A belief that spirits inhabit some or all classes of natural objects or phenomena.

A belief that an immaterial force animates the universe.

(dated) A doctrine that animal life is produced by an immaterial spirit.

Coordinate terms

Source: Wiktionary

An"i*mism, n. Etym: [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.

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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition