[Fr., said to be so called because it often contains so many insects as to be, figuratively, animé or animated; but according to some a native name.] A name given to various resins; the original, obtained from a West Indian tree (Hymenæa Courbaril), much used in making varnish; the others from Africa.
1577. Frampton, Joyfull Newes, II. (1596), 2. They do bring from the Newe Spaine 2 kinds of Rosine, that be both much alike … the one is called Copall, and the other Anime.
1604. E. G. D’Acosta’s Nat. Hist. Indies, xxix. 288. New Spaine … [hath] abundance of matter for perfume and physicke, as is the Animé whereof there comes great store.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., The eastern gum anime is distinguished into three kinds … white … blackish … pale.
1851. E. Forbes, in Art Jrnl. Catal. Exhib., II. 61/2. Many and curious are the gums and balsams of the family; among others, gum-Arabic, tragacanth, animé, kino, and Balsam of Peru.
1875. Ure, Dict. Arts, I. 190. Gum-animé is sometimes mistaken for amber.
