FelixTM Wrote:XD
Seriously, stop with technicalities. Word origin and "correct" usage doesn't mean much when "anime" already has an accepted meaning by most people who see it. You said it yourself "usually associated" (more like completely). Anyone who is using anime to refer to animation in general is an idiot. Or trying to troll people. If you're going to use it like that, you're going to have to specify. American anime (lol), etc. And even then people are still going to be picturing Japanese style animation because that's just the connotation of the word.
If you want to get into specifics, Korean 'animation' is considered as 'anime'. I don't think it's because of the fact that they're all Asians either. Just how the art-style is drawn that depicts what is and what is not an anime.
List: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_animation
Edit: After looking up other websites, and forums. I have come to one conclusion. There is no correct answer, just a more used-definition. The one most people are accustomed and more hard-headed with would be an Otaku's definition of the word 'anime'. I watch anime, myself, but not as much as most of you here, I'm sure. Mostly gamerz.