Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

an|nu|ity /ənjuː I ti, [AM ] ənuː I ti/ (annuities ) N‑COUNT An annuity is an investment or insurance policy that pays someone a fixed sum of money each year. [BUSINESS ]

an|nul /ənʌ l/ (annuls , annulling , annulled ) VERB [usu passive] If an election or a contract is annulled , it is declared invalid, so that legally it is considered never to have existed. □ [be V -ed] The marriage was annulled last month.

an|nul|ment /ənʌ lmənt/ (annulments ) N‑VAR The annulment of a contract or marriage is an official declaration that it is invalid, so that legally it is considered never to have existed. □ [+ of ] …the annulment of the elections.

an|num /æ nəm/ → see per annum

An|nun|cia|tion /ənʌ nsie I ʃ ^ə n/ N‑PROPER In Christianity, the Annunciation was the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she was going to give birth to the son of God.

an|ode /æ noʊd/ (anodes ) N‑COUNT In electronics, an anode is the positive electrode in a cell such as a battery. Compare cathode . [TECHNICAL ]

ano|dyne /æ nəda I n/ ADJ If you describe something as anodyne , you are criticizing it because it has no strong characteristics and is not likely to excite, interest, or upset anyone. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □  Their quarterly meetings were anodyne affairs.

anoint /ənɔ I nt/ (anoints , anointing , anointed )

1 VERB To anoint someone means to put oil or water on a part of their body, usually for religious reasons. □ [V n] He anointed my forehead. □ [V n + as ] The Pope has anointed him as Archbishop. □ [V -ed] …the anointed king.

2 VERB If a person in a position of authority anoints someone, they choose them to do a particular important job. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n + as ] The populist party anointed him as its candidate. □ [V n] Mr. Olsen has always avoided anointing any successor.

anoma|lous /ənɒ mələs/ ADJ Something that is anomalous is different from what is usual or expected. [FORMAL ] □  For years this anomalous behaviour has baffled scientists.

anoma|ly /ənɒ məli/ (anomalies ) N‑COUNT If something is an anomaly , it is different from what is usual or expected. [FORMAL ] □  The British public's wariness of opera is an anomaly in Europe.

anon /ənɒ n/ ADV [ADV after v] Anon means quite soon. [LITERARY ] □  You shall see him anon.

anon.Anon. is often written after poems or other writing to indicate that the author is not known. Anon. is an abbreviation for 'anonymous'.

anony|mous /ənɒ n I məs/

1 ADJ If you remain anonymous when you do something, you do not let people know that you were the person who did it. □  You can remain anonymous if you wish. □  An anonymous benefactor stepped in to provide the prize money. □  …anonymous phone calls. ●  ano|nym|ity /æ nɒn I m I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □  Both mother and daughter, who have requested anonymity, are doing fine. ●  anony|mous|ly ADV □  The latest photographs were sent anonymously to the magazine's headquarters.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is anonymous does not reveal who you are. □  Of course, that would have to be by anonymous vote. ●  ano|nym|ity N‑UNCOUNT □  He claims many more people would support him in the anonymity of a voting booth.

3 ADJ If you describe a place as anonymous , you dislike it because it has no unusual or interesting features and seems unwelcoming. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  It's nice to stay in a home rather than in an anonymous holiday villa. ●  ano|nym|ity N‑UNCOUNT □  …the anonymity of the rented room.

ano|rak /æ nəræk/ (anoraks ) N‑COUNT An anorak is a warm waterproof jacket, usually with a hood.