Main Entry: an·o·mie

Variant(s): also an·o·my \ˈa-nə-mē\

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-ˈnä-mik, -ˈnō-\ adjective