''Animo'' is a
Latin
Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
legal term meaning 'with intention' or 'with purpose'.
''Animo'' can be neutral or negative, "a double edged sword," but is more often negative - and rarely positive.
It was formerly used only in
criminal law
Criminal law is the body of law that relates to crime. It proscribes conduct perceived as threatening, harmful, or otherwise endangering to the property, health, safety, and Well-being, welfare of people inclusive of one's self. Most criminal l ...
, but later in tort cases, which was used by juries to determine "ill will" of the defendant, as in 'animosity'.
A number of
Latinism
A Latinism (from ) is a word, idiom, or structure in a language other than Latin that is derived from, or suggestive of, the Latin language. The Term ''Latinism'' refers to those loan words that are borrowed into another language directly from ...
s developed: ''animo furandi'' (intent to steal), ''animo felonico'' (intent to commit a felony), and ''animo defamadi'' (intent to defame).
These were all negative, but neutral forms arose in
estate law: ''animo testandi'' (
animus testandi or testamentary intent) and ''animo revocandi'' (intent to revoke a will).
Additional Latinisms include ''animo manendi'' (intent to remain) and ''animo revertendi'' (intent to return), which are essential elements of
domicile.
''
Animus nocendi'', derived from the word, is still used to describe the intent to commit a crime, and ''animus donandi'' to show the intent to give a gift or bequest.
References
Latin legal terminology
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