animality

/ˌæn.ɪˈmæl.ə.ti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌæn.ɪˈmæl.ə.t̬i/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌa-nə-ˈma-lə-tē How to pronounce animality (audio)/ (ame, mw)

animality — noun

1. the part of a person that comes from physical drives and bodily feelings, rather

1.名詞C2
釋義

the part of a person that comes from physical drives and bodily feelings, rather than from thought or spirit

例句

Bao argued that good poetry never hides the animality inside ordinary human life.

pattern: the animality inside / of [a group or domain]

The novel describes a hungry crowd whose animality slowly takes over their better judgement.

collocation: animality takes over

同義詞
  • carnality

    stresses bodily desire, especially sexual desire; narrower than animality

  • physicality

    more neutral; focuses on the body without the moral undertone

  • instinct

    everyday word for unlearned drives; less philosophical

反義詞
  • spirituality

    the side of a person tied to the soul, mind, or higher meaning

  • rationality

    the thinking side of a person, guided by reason rather than urges

文法句型

human animality

the animality of [person/group]

用法筆記

Strongly associated with literary, philosophical, or religious writing where the body is contrasted with the mind or soul. Subject is usually a person, a group, or a written work that reflects on human nature.

常見錯誤

❌The puppy showed pure animality when it played with the ball.
✅The puppy showed pure animal behaviour when it played with the ball.
💡sense 1 talks about the animal-like side of humans, not the behaviour of an actual animal.

2. the quality of acting, looking, or feeling like an animal — for example, in raw

2.名詞C2
釋義

the quality of acting, looking, or feeling like an animal — for example, in raw movement, aggression, or sound

例句

Ilan praised the dancer's animality, the way her body seemed to hunt across the stage.

pattern: praise/admire someone's animality

Cyrus was shocked by the animality of the fight outside the bar.

pattern: the animality of [a violent scene]

同義詞
  • feralness

    stresses being wild or untamed, often after living without rules

  • savagery

    darker and more negative; focuses on cruelty rather than animal-like form

  • wildness

    everyday word; covers nature, behaviour, and energy

反義詞
  • refinement

    polished, controlled manner that hides any animal-like edge

文法句型

the animality of [person/action]

show animality

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 describes a visible, surface quality (movement, sound, look) that resembles an animal, whereas sense 1 names an inner human nature contrasted with mind or soul. Common in arts criticism, dance writing, and descriptions of sport or fighting.

常見錯誤

❌The painting shows the animality between the two lovers.
✅The painting shows the chemistry between the two lovers.
💡'animality' is about animal-like quality, not romantic attraction.