[ad. L. exanimātiōn-em, n. of action f. exanimāre: see EXANIMATE v.] † a. Deprivation of life (obs.). b. ‘Apparent death from swooning’ (Syd. Soc. Lex., 1884). c. Deprivation of spirits, disheartening, discouragement.
a. 1670. Maynwaring, Vita Sana, xvi. 148. Fear … scattering them [the spirits] from the Fountain of Life, into the external parts, making a dissolution almost to exanimation.
b. 1731–1800. Bailey, Exanimation … a swooning or such a sinking of the Spirits as is attended with the Loss of Sense for some time.
c. 1604. T. Wright, Passions, V. 175. Euery accent, exclamation,… indignation,… exanimation, exultation, fitly … deliuered, is [etc.].
1635. Valentine, Foure Sea-Serm., 55–6. An exanimation of the mariners … because of the greatnesse of the danger.
