The Root animus: spirit, hostility
Latin root
The root animus means spirit, hostility, and it comes from Latin. It shows up across the GRE, hidden inside words that look unrelated at first glance. Once you recognize it, you can decode the meaning of an unfamiliar word on sight instead of guessing. Below are 5 GRE words built from this one root. Learn the root, and you unlock the whole family.
Words from the root animus
Strong hostility or hatred
“There was deep animosity between the rival families.”
mental calmness and composure, especially under stress
“She accepted the bad news with surprising equanimity.”
generosity, especially toward a rival or inferior
“In victory she showed remarkable magnanimity, praising the opponent she had just defeated.”
Very generous or forgiving; noble in spirit
“The magnanimous victor offered clemency to the defeated.”
Lacking courage or resolution; cowardly
“The general's pusillanimous decision to retreat without fighting earned him the contempt of his soldiers.”
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