English Lexicon

Alienation

/ˌeɪ.li.əˈneɪ.ʃən/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #4500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The state of being isolated or estranged from a group or an activity to which one should belong.

    "His alienation from his peers made him feel lonely and disconnected."
  2. 2

    The transfer of ownership or rights to property or possessions.

    "The alienation of land from the community was a controversial issue."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'alienatio', originating from 'alienus' (belonging to another, strange), which entered Middle English via Old French in the 14th century. Over centuries, the term evolved from legal contexts denoting the transfer of property ownership to psychological and sociological frameworks describing emotional detachment and isolation.

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