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Definition of anima in English:

anima

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noun

  • 1Psychoanalysis
    (in Jungian psychology) the feminine part of a man's personality.

    Often contrasted with animus (sense 3)

    1. 1.1The part of the psyche that is directed inward, in touch with the subconscious.
      Often contrasted with persona
      • ‘persona and anima switch roles and merge in slow, smooth ways’
      soul, spirit, self, inner self, innermost self, ego, inner ego, true being, essential nature, life force, vital force, inner man, inner woman, persona, identity, personality, individuality, make-up, subconscious, mind, intellect

  • 2Philosophy
    historical The soul, especially the irrational part of the soul as distinguished from the rational mind.

    Contrasted with animus (sense 4)

Pronunciation

anima

/ˈanəmə/ /ˈænəmə/

Origin

Old English (in sense anima (sense 2); anima (sense 1) dates from the 1920s): from Latin, ‘mind, soul’.