| Animate | v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Animated; p. pr. & vb. n. Animating. ] [ L. animatus, p. p. of animare, fr. anima breath, soul; akin to animus soul, mind, Gr. &unr_; wind, Skr. an to breathe, live, Goth. us-anan to expire (us- out), Icel. önd breath, anda to breathe, OHG. ando anger. Cf. Animal. ] 1. To give natural life to; to make alive; to quicken; as, the soul animates the body. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To give powers to, or to heighten the powers or effect of; as, to animate a lyre. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To give spirit or vigor to; to stimulate or incite; to inspirit; to rouse; to enliven. [ 1913 Webster ] The more to animate the people, he stood on high . . . and cried unto them with a loud voice. Knolles. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- To enliven; inspirit; stimulate; exhilarate; inspire; instigate; rouse; urge; cheer; prompt; incite; quicken; gladden. [ 1913 Webster ] |