Definition of anomie

exculpate Definition: (verb) to free from blame or guilt. Petersons.com

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< anomaly

anon >

an·o·mie or an·o·my    (n-m) KEY  

NOUN:

1. Social instability caused by erosion of standards and values.
2. Alienation and purposelessness experienced by a person or a class as a result of a lack of standards, values, or ideals: "We must now brace ourselves for disquisitions on peer pressure, adolescent anomie and rage" (Charles Krauthammer).

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ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Greek anomi, lawlessness, from anomos, lawless : a-, without ; see a- ¹ + nomos, law; see nem- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
a·nomic   (-nmk, -nmk) KEY  (Adjective)

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