Definitions for: Anathema

[n] a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication
[n] a detested person; "he is an anathema to me"

Webster (1913) Definition: A*nath"e*ma, n.; pl. Anathemas. [L. anath?ma, fr.
Gr. ? anything devoted, esp. to evil, a curse; also L.
anath?ma, fr. Gr. ? a votive offering; all fr. ? to set up as
a votive gift, dedicate; ? up + ? to set. See 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(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.''

Synonyms: bete noire

See Also: condemnation, curse, disagreeable person, execration, unpleasant person

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