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Simple English definitions for legal terms
animus
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A quick definition of animus:
Animus refers to ill will or animosity towards a particular group of people. It can also mean intention, such as the intention to steal, wage war, cancel, donate, defame, abandon, or injure. In Roman law, animus domini means the intention to own something, while animus manendi means the intention to establish a permanent residence. Other examples include animus possidendi, which means the intent to possess a thing, and animus testandi, which means testamentary intention.
A more thorough explanation:
ANIMUS
Animus means ill will or animosity towards a particular group of people. It can also refer to a person's intention to do something.
- A person who has animus towards a certain race or religion may discriminate against them.
- In a civil-rights conspiracy case, a class-based animus is an essential element to prove discrimination.
- Animus furandi means "with the intention to steal" in Latin.
The first two examples illustrate animus as ill will or prejudice towards a group of people. The third example shows animus as intention, specifically the intention to steal. Animus can refer to a person's state of mind or motive behind their actions.