ANATHEMA

anathema

(noun) a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication

anathema, bete noire

(noun) a detested person; “he is an anathema to me”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

---

Etymology

Noun

anathema (plural anathemas or anathemata)

(ecclesiastical, historical) A ban or curse pronounced with religious solemnity by ecclesiastical authority, often accompanied by excommunication; something denounced as accursed. [from early 17th c.]

Synonyms: ban, curse

(by extension) Something which is vehemently disliked by somebody.

Synonym: bête noire

(literary) An imprecation; a curse; a malediction.

(ecclesiastical) Any person or thing anathematized, or cursed by ecclesiastical authority. [from 1520s]

Source: Wiktionary

---

A*nath"e*ma, n.; pl. Anathemas. Etym: [L. anath, fr. Gr. anath, fr. Gr. Thesis.]

1. A ban or curse pronounced with religious solemnity by ecclesiastical authority, and accompanied by excommunication. Hence: Denunciation of anything as accursed. [They] denounce anathemas against unbelievers. Priestley.

2. An imprecation; a curse; a malediction. Finally she fled to London followed by the anathemas of both [families]. Thackeray.

3. Any person or thing anathematized, or cursed by ecclesiastical authority. The Jewish nation were an anathema destined to destruction. St. Paul . . . says he could wish, to save them from it, to become an anathema, and be destroyed himself. Locke. Anathema Maranatha Etym: (see 1 Cor. xvi. 22), an expression commonly considered as a highly intensified form of anathema. Maran atha is now considered as a separate sentence, meaning, "Our Lord cometh."

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

---

Do you know this game?

Wordscapes is a popular word game consistently in the top charts of both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The Android version has more than 10 million installs. This guide will help you get more coins in less than two minutes of playing the game. Continue reading Wordscapes: Get More Coins