ANOMIE

[an.o.mie] also an.o.my n [F anomie, fr. MF, fr. Gk anomia lawlessness, fr. anomos lawless, fr. a- + nomos law, fr. nemein to distribute--more at nimble] (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 adj