anonymous

/əˈnɒn.ə.məs/

ƏNⱰN · ə · məs (3 syllables)

English Adj Top 4,688
Ad

Definition

Lacking a name; not named, for example an animal not assigned to any species .

Etymology

Borrowed into English around 1600 from Late Latin anonymus, from Ancient Greek ᾰ̓νώνῠμος (ănṓnŭmos, “without name”), from ᾰ̓ν- (ăn-, “un-”) with ὄνῠμᾰ (ónŭmă), Aeolic and Doric dialectal form of ὄνομᾰ (ónomă, “name”). English equivalent anonym + -ous, its full etymology being an- + -onym + -ous.

Example Sentences

  • "an anonymous pamphlet"
  • "an anonymous subscription"
  • "anonymous author or painter"
Ad

Related Words