anathema
English
/əˈnæθəmə/
noun
Definitions
- (ecclesiastical) A ban or curse pronounced with religious solemnity by ecclesiastical authority, often accompanied by excommunication; something denounced as accursed.
- (by extension) Something which is vehemently disliked by somebody.
- (literary) An imprecation; a curse; a malediction.
- (ecclesiastical) Any person or thing anathematized, or cursed by ecclesiastical authority.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin anathema derived from Ancient Greek ἀνάθεμα (especially dedicated to evil, something dedicated).
Origin
Ancient Greek
ἀνάθεμα
Gloss
especially dedicated to evil, something dedicated