animator
UK[ˈænɪmeɪtə(r)]US[ˈænɪmeɪtər]
n
a person who makes animated films or cartoons.
n
a person or thing that brings something to life or gives it energy and liveliness.
Morpheme Breakdown
anim
ator
anim
life, spirit
ator
one who does
Etymology
the word 'animator' originates from the latin verb 'animare', meaning 'to give life to', which itself derives from 'anima' (breath, soul, life force). this core concept of imparting life or spirit is central to the word's evolution. in the late 16th century, 'animate' entered english as a verb meaning to give life or motion. the agent noun 'animator' followed, initially describing one who enlivens or inspires. its modern, specialized meaning, referring to a creator of animated films, emerged in the early 20th century with the development of the animation industry, directly extending the original idea of bringing static drawings to life.
Analysis
Structure: anim (life, spirit) + ator (one who does)
anim is from latin 'anima', meaning breath, life, soul. ator is a latin agent noun suffix, meaning 'one who does or performs an action'.
Examples
the animator spent months drawing each frame by hand.
she is the lead animator for the new children's television series.
a good teacher is an animator of young minds, sparking curiosity and engagement.