The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Animate \An"i*mate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Animated; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Animating.] [L. animatus, p. p. of animare, fr.
   anima breath, soul; akin to animus soul, mind, Gr. ? wind,
   Skr. an to breathe, live, Goth. us-anan to expire (us- out),
   Icel. ["o]nd breath, anda to breathe, OHG. ando anger. Cf.
   Animal.]
   1. To give natural life to; to make alive; to quicken; as,
      the soul animates the body.
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   2. To give powers to, or to heighten the powers or effect of;
      as, to animate a lyre. --Dryden.
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   3. To give spirit or vigor to; to stimulate or incite; to
      inspirit; to rouse; to enliven.
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            The more to animate the people, he stood on high . .
            . and cried unto them with a loud voice. --Knolles.
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   Syn: To enliven; inspirit; stimulate; exhilarate; inspire;
        instigate; rouse; urge; cheer; prompt; incite; quicken;
        gladden.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Animating \An"i*ma"ting\, a.
   Causing animation; life-giving; inspiriting; rousing.
   "Animating cries." --Pope. -- An"i*ma`ting*ly, adv.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

animating
    adj 1: giving spirit and vivacity [syn: animating,
           enlivening]