animus








noun

  1. strong dislike or enmity; hostile attitude; animosity.
  2. purpose; intention; animating spirit.
  3. (in the psychology of C. G. Jung) the masculine principle, especially as present in women (contrasted with anima).

noun

  1. intense dislike; hatred; animosity
  2. motive, intention, or purpose
  3. (in Jungian psychology) the masculine principle present in the female unconsciousSee also anima
n.

1820, “temper” (usually in a hostile sense), from Latin animus “rational soul, mind, life, mental powers; courage, desire,” related to anima “living being, soul, mind, disposition, passion, courage, anger, spirit, feeling,” from PIE root *ane- “to blow, to breathe” (cf. Greek anemos “wind,” Sanskrit aniti “breathes,” Old Irish anal, Welsh anadl “breath,” Old Irish animm “soul,” Gothic uzanan “to exhale,” Old Norse anda “to breathe,” Old English eðian “to breathe,” Old Church Slavonic vonja “smell, breath,” Armenian anjn “soul”). It has no plural. As a term in Jungian psychology for the masculine component of a feminine personality, it dates from 1923.

n.

  1. An animating or energizing spirit.
  2. Intention to do something; disposition.
  3. A spirit of active hostility; ill will.
  4. In Jungian psychology, the masculine inner personality as present in the unconscious of the female.
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