Here’s a context clues worksheet on the verb animate. This is one of those good, lively verbs that students probably ought to know for its own sake–i.e., that it is a very strong verb. Besides meaning “to produce in the form of an animated cartoon” it can mean, depending on context, “to give spirit and support to : ENCOURAGE,”to give life to,” “to give vigor and zest to,” and the way I generally use it in expository prose, “to move to action.”
In any case, as a verb, animate is only used transitively.
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