animation
UK[ˌæn.ɪˈmeɪ.ʃən]US[ˌæn.əˈmeɪ.ʃən]
n
The process of making films, videos, or computer games in which drawings, models, or images of people and animals seem to move.
n
Energy and enthusiasm in the way you look, behave, or speak.
Morpheme Breakdown
anim
ation
anim
life, spirit
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'animation' traces its lineage to the Latin noun anima, meaning "breath, soul, life force." This concept is deeply rooted in the Proto-Indo-European base h₂enh₁-, "to breathe," which also gave rise to words like 'animal' and 'animate.' The suffix '-ation' was added in Late Latin to form animationem, denoting the action of imparting life or spirit. Thus, the modern term 'animation' logically evolved from the literal idea of "giving life" to drawings or inanimate objects to its dual contemporary meanings: the technical process of creating moving images and the figurative quality of liveliness and energetic expression.
Analysis
Structure: anim (life, spirit) + ation (noun suffix)
- anim: From Latin animus (soul, spirit, mind) and anima (breath, life, soul). It functions as the core root conveying the sense of "life" or "spirit".
- ation: A suffix of Latin origin (-ationem), used to form nouns indicating an action, process, or result.
Examples
The studio specializes in computer-generated animation for feature films.
She spoke with great animation about her recent travels.
Traditional hand-drawn animation requires immense skill and patience.