'anathem' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'anathema,' which came from Greek 'anathema,' where 'ana-' meant 'up' and 'tithenai' meant 'to place.'

'anathema' in Greek was adopted into Latin as 'anathema,' and eventually became the English word 'anathem.'

Initially, it meant 'a thing devoted or set up (especially to the gods),' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a formal curse or something detested.'