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Webster 1913 Edition


Anonymous

A-non′y-mous

,
Adj.
[Gr. [GREEK] without name;
ἀν
priv. + [GREEK], Eol. for [GREEK] name. See
Name
.]
Nameless; of unknown name; also, of unknown or unavowed authorship;
as, an
anonymous
benefactor; an
anonymous
pamphlet or letter.

Webster 1828 Edition


Anonymous

ANON'YMOUS

, a [L. anonymus; Gr. name. See Name.]
Nameless; wanting a name; without the real name of the author; as, an anonymous pamphlet.

Definition 2024


Anonymous

Anonymous

See also: anonymous

English

Proper noun

Anonymous

  1. A hacktivist group opposed to internet censorship, government corruption, homophobia and Scientology.

anonymous

anonymous

See also: Anonymous

English

Adjective

anonymous (comparative more anonymous, superlative most anonymous)

  1. (not comparable) Lacking a name; not named and determined, as an animal not assigned to any species.
  2. (not comparable) Without any name acknowledged of a person responsible, as that of author, contributor, or the like.
    an anonymous pamphlet; an anonymous subscription.
  3. (not comparable) Of unknown name; whose name is withheld
    an anonymous author; an anonymous benefactor.
    • 2012 April 19, Josh Halliday, “Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised?”, in the Guardian:
      The shift in the balance of power online has allowed anyone to publish to the world, from dispirited teenagers in south London to an anonymous cyber-dissident in a Middle East autocracy.
    No customer personal data will be retained unless it is rendered anonymous.
  4. (comparable, figuratively) Lacking individuality.
    an anonymous office block in a soulless industrial estate

Synonyms

  • (lacking a name): nameless
  • (without acknowledged responsible agent):
  • (of unknown name): unidentified, unknown, unnamed
  • (lacking individuality): faceless
  • (without consideration of prestige or background): on the merits

Antonyms

Derived terms

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See also

References

  • anonymous in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • anonymous in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913