anomalist

noun

anom·​a·​list
-lə̇st
plural -s
: an adherent of the view held by certain Greek grammarians of the 2d century b.c. that in language the connection between the word and the idea is arbitrary and based on convention alone
opposed to analogist

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from German, from anomal- + -ist

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anomalist was in 1860

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Dictionary Entries Near anomalist

Cite this Entry

“Anomalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anomalist. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

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