anima

noun

an·​i·​ma ˈa-nə-mə How to pronounce anima (audio)
: an individual's true inner self that in the analytical psychology of Carl Gustav Jung reflects archetypal ideals of conduct
also : an inner feminine part of the male personality compare animus, persona

Examples of anima in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After the Nexus Event of Loki catching feelings for his Jungian anima, he and Sylvie are brought before the creepy animatronic Time-Keepers for sentencing. Alex Kane, USA TODAY, 1 July 2021

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, soul

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anima was in 1923

Dictionary Entries Near anima

Cite this Entry

“Anima.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anima. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

anima

noun
an·​i·​ma ˈan-ə-mə How to pronounce anima (audio)
1
: an individual's true inner self that in the analytical psychology of C. G. Jung reflects archetypal ideals of conduct
also : an inner feminine part of the male personality compare animus, persona
2
in old pharmacy
a
: the active ingredient of an animal or vegetable drug
b
: a dried plant juice or an aqueous extract

More from Merriam-Webster on anima

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!