anonymity

plural anonymities

1. uncountableThe quality or state of being anonymous (nameless or unidentified).First known use 1820

   She's garbed her philanthropic activities in anonymity.

   3 more examples

   Now there are twenty-nine skaters on Wollman Rink Circling in singles and in pairs In this vigorous anonymity

   1976, Joni Mitchell, Song for Sharon

   Although the pen-and-paper questionnaires did not require students to give their names, the potential for the teacher to be able to recognise handwriting of individual students led to the perceived loss of anonymity.

   2017, Di Zou, James Lambert, “Feedback methods for student voice in the digital age”, in British Journal of Educational Technology, volume 48, number 5, page 1085

   "It really took off. People would literally come up to me in the street in New York saying 'Hey, Train Daddy, how's it goin'?' "I am quite enjoying the anonymity of London so far..." Given the high-profile task ahead of him, that isn't going to last for long.

   2020 December 2, Andy Byford talks to Paul Clifton, “I enjoy really big challenges...”, in Rail, page 55

   Synonyms: anonymousness, anonymy, anonymosity · Antonyms: onymity

2. countableThat which is anonymous.First known use 1695

   In one sense the protagonist is the poet himself, but in another sense he is an anonymity.

   2006, Jatindra Mohan Mohanty, History of Oriya Literature, page 516

3. uncountableThe quality or state of being generally unknown, unrecognized, or uncelebrated.First known use 1920

   Having been propelled from anonymity to global recognition by his role in the first four series of Emily in Paris, Bravo, 36, suggested he might not be involved in the fifth.

   2024 October 25, Adam Sage, “Lucas Bravo: Life’s too short to keep acting in Emily in Paris”, in The Times, London: News UK, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 25 Oct 2024

   2 more examples

   The profiteer who through a combine fleeces the public would scorn to wrong a friend or betray those of his own household. The problem then resolves itself into a question of the elimination of the impersonality, the anonymity of modern life that is made an excuse for moral irresponsibility.

   1920, John M[offatt] Mecklin, “The Traits of the Great Society as Illustrated by the Corporation”, in An Introduction to Social Ethics: The Social Conscience in a Democracy, New York, N.Y.: Harcourt, Brace and Company, →OCLC, part I (Historical and Introductory), chapter IV (The Great Society), pages 78–79

   Actually, pin-striped anonymity in the city once seemed a more likely destination. He was a nervous, awkward teenager, six-foot by the age of 12, six-five fully grown, always trying to appear nicer and more orthodox than he felt he really was.

   1978 April 23–29, “Ex-Python John Cleese sets up ‘Fawlty Towers’”, in TV Week (Tallahassee Democrat), Tallahassee, Fla., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 4, column 2