alienation

/ˌeɪli.əˈneɪʃən/

Etymology

From Middle English alienacioun, borrowed from Old French alienacion, itself borrowed from Latin aliēnātiōn(em).

alienation means the act of alienating. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 70 out of 100.

alienation is pronounced /ˌeɪli.əˈneɪʃən/.

Why “alienation” is a great word

ALIENATION — [Noun] A state of emotional isolation or estrangement from one's social connections, community, or sense of self. From Middle English alienacioun, borrowed from Old French alienacion, itself from Latin aliēnātiōnem (nominative aliēnātiō), from aliēnāre ("to make another's, to estrange"), from aliēnus ("of another, foreign"). First attested in the 14th century. Unlike estrangement, which implies a specific rupture in a formerly intimate bond, or disaffection, which denotes a loss of loyalty toward an authority, alienation is the broader, ambient chill of non-belonging. It is the hollow ache in a crowded room, the mechanical rhythm of a task severed from purpose, and the quiet shock of your own laughter sounding foreign. It is the self, grown strange to itself.

noun

The act of alienating.“The alienation of that viewing demographic is a poor business decision.”
The state of being alienated.“His alienation from his family means he has nowhere to go at Christmas.”
Emotional isolation or dissociation, as from being separated from social connections or estranged from one's family or community; a feeling of being an outsider.“I didn't care about anything back then, not holidays or family or my career, I felt utter alienation from everything around me.”
Verfremdungseffekt.
The transfer of property to another person.“The most usual and universal method of acquiring a title to real estates is that of alienation, conveyance, or purchase in its limited sense: under which may be comprized any method wherein estates are voluntarily resigned by one man, and accepted by another; whether that be effected by sale, gift, marriage settlement, devise, or other transmission of property by the mutual consent of the parties.”
The estrangement of people from aspects of their human nature as a consequence of the division of labour and living in a society of stratified social classes (e.g., under capitalism or feudalism).