Full of life, excitement, or energy in expression or manner. In technical contexts, refers to moving images created through successive still frames.
From Latin animatus, past participle of animare meaning 'to give life to', from anima meaning 'breath, soul, or life'. The film-making sense emerged in the early 20th century with motion picture technology.
The word connects ancient beliefs about breath as life-force to modern cartoon technology - both involve giving the illusion of life to the inanimate. Disney animators literally 'breathe life' into drawings, fulfilling the word's original meaning.
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