01 n. A ban or curse pronounced with religious solemnity by ecclesiastical authority, and accompanied by excommunication. Hence: Denunciation of …
pl.
Anathemas
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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.
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2.
An imprecation; a curse; a malediction.“Finally she fled to London followed by the anathemas of both [families].” — Thackeray.
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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.
Phrases & compounds
Anathema Maranatha —
an expression commonly considered as a highly intensified form of anathema. Maran atha is now considered as a separate sentence, meaning, “Our Lord cometh.” — 1 Cor. xvi. 22