| anathema | Origin: L. Anathma, fr. Gr. Anything devoted, esp. To evil, a curse; also L. Anathma, 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 anathem as against unbelievers." (Priestley) 2. An imprecation; a curse; a malediction. "Finally she fled to London followed by the anathem as 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), 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: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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