n.
Variant: also an · o · my
Pronunciation: ' a-n ə -m ē
Function: noun
Etymology: French anomie, from Middle French, from Greek anomia lawlessness, from anomos lawless, from a- + nomos law, from nemein to distribute ― more at NIMBLE
Date: 1933
: social instability resulting from a breakdown of standards and values also : personal unrest, alienation, and uncertainty that comes from a lack of purpose or ideals
– ano · mic \ ə - ' nä-mik, - ' n ō - \ adjective