rare in mod. use. Also 7 exanimat. [f. L. exanimāt- ppl. stem of exanimāre to deprive of life, f. ex- out + anima breath of life.]
† 1. trans. a. To deprive of life; to kill. b. To deprive of the appearance of life; to render breathless or unconscious. Obs.
1593. B. Barnes, Parthenophil & P., Sonn. lvi. Thy love, which doth each part exanimate.
1620. Venner, Via Recta (1650), 225. A Charcoal-fire will quickly exanimate you and cast you into a sowne.
1657. Tomlinson, Renou’s Disp., 24. That they might exanimate … all those whose life and fortunes they envy or hate.
b. fig. humorous. To knock the breath out of.
1878. Fraser’s Mag., XVII. 738. Mr. Sayce has furnished enough grammatical details, not only to ‘flutter’ the Aryans, but to exanimate most believers in a grammar at all.
† 2. To deprive of courage or spirit; to dishearten, dispirit. Obs.
1552. in Huloet.
1567. Drant, Horace’ Epist., II. i. G vj. These two doth much exanimate And strykes the hart full coulde.
1638. A. Read, Chirurg., ii. 14. It [ustion] is horrible to the sight and apprehension; for it doth in a manner exanimat cowardly persons.
1667. Flavel, Saint Indeed (1754), 141. If it be attended … with suffering, it will exanimate and sink him.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
Hence Exanimated, Exanimating ppl. adjs.
1689. T. Plunket, Char. Gd. Commander, 3. But our brave Hero, whom I now describe, Is none of that exanimated Tribe.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 341. The old Magicians by reason of this exanimating property, did not a little glory in these beasts.
