the belief that inanimate objects have consciousness
animatism in American English
(ˈænɪməˌtɪzəm)
noun
the belief that inanimate things have consciousness or personality
animatism in American English
(ˈænəməˌtɪzəm)
noun
the attribution of consciousness to inanimate objects and natural phenomena
Word origin
[1895–1900; animate + -ism]This word is first recorded in the period 1895–1900. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Marxism, backstage, backwind, hit-and-run, neon-ism is a suffix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it was used to form action nounsfrom verbs (baptism). On this model, -ism is used as a productive suffix in the formation of nouns denoting action or practice,state or condition, principles, doctrines, a usage or characteristic, devotion oradherence, etc. (criticism; barbarism; Darwinism; despotism; plagiarism; realism; witticism; intellectualism)