anathema
|a/nath/e/ma|
/əˈnæθəmə/
formal curse; detested thing
Etymology
'anathema' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ἀνάθεμα' (anathema), where 'ana-' meant 'up' and 'tithenai' meant 'to place.'
'anathema' changed from the Latin word 'anathema' and eventually became the modern English word 'anathema'.
Initially, it meant 'a thing devoted to evil,' but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'a formal curse' and 'something detested.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a formal curse by a religious authority excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine.
The church declared the heretic's teachings anathema.
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Noun 2
something or someone that one vehemently dislikes.
Racism is anathema to her.
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Last updated: 2025/02/15 06:08