Anathema

[ə'næθəmə]

Definition

(noun.) a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication.

(noun.) a detested person; 'he is an anathema to me'.

Typist: Serena--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) A ban or curse pronounced with religious solemnity by ecclesiastical authority, and accompanied by excommunication. Hence: Denunciation of anything as accursed.

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

(n.) Any person or thing anathematized, or cursed by ecclesiastical authority.

Typist: Miguel

Synonyms and Synonymous

n. Curse, malediction, denunciation, imprecation, fulmination, ban, execration, proscription, excommunication.

Inputed by Antonia

Definition

n. a solemn ecclesiastical curse or denunciation involving excommunication: any person or thing anathematised: generally any imprecation or expression of execration.—n. Anathematisā′tion—v.t. Anath′ematise to pronounce accursed.—Anathema maranātha as in 1 Cor. xvi. 22; maranatha (Syr. māran ethā 'our Lord hath come') is properly a mere solemn formula of confirmation like Amen having no other connection with the antecedent anathema—it is so printed in the Revised Version.—It seems to have been used by the early Christians as a kind of watchword of mutual encouragement and hope. So the words in 1 Cor. xvi. 22 are nearly equivalent to the similar expressions in Phil. iv. 5; Rev. xxii. 20.

Typist: Pearl