Animo
{{Short description|Latin legal term}}
{{about|the legal term|the game design software|GameMaker Studio}}
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Animo is a Latin legal term meaning 'with intention' or 'with purpose'.[http://definitions.uslegal.com/a/animo/ Animo, US Legal]
Animo can be neutral or negative, "a double edged sword," but is more often negative - and rarely positive.{{cite book |last=Garner |first=Bryan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=35dZpfMmxqsC&dq=%22Animo%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA59 |title=A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage |year=2021 |page=59 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-514236-5 |access-date=March 13, 2025}} It was formerly used only in criminal law, but later in tort cases, which was used by juries to determine "ill will" of the defendant, as in 'animosity'.
A number of Latinisms 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),{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6jgfEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Animo%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA57|page=57|title=The Lawyer's Style Guide: A Student and Practitioner Guide|first=Peter|last=Butt|year=2021|publisher=Bloomsbury |isbn=978-1-5099-3625-0 |access-date=March 13, 2025}} 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.{{Cite book |last1=Fellmeth |first1=Aaron Xavier |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qt3nCwAAQBAJ |title=Guide to Latin in International Law |last2=Horwitz |first2=Maurice|year=2009 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-536938-0 |pages=32, 192|access-date=March 13, 2025|language=en}}