Meaning & use
animism
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The belief that objects, places, and living things all possess a distinct spiritual essence.
See it in a sentence
Animism is central to many traditional belief systems that see spirits in rivers, mountains, and trees.
The anthropologist studied how animism shaped the tribe's relationship with the forest.
A note on using this word
A term used in religious studies and anthropology to describe a wide range of belief systems, not one specific religion.
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