anathema

n.; pl. Anathemas [ L. anath&ebreve_;ma, fr. Gr. &unr_; anything devoted, esp. to evil, a curse; also L. anathēma, fr. Gr. &unr_; a votive offering; all fr. &unr_; to set up as a votive gift, dedicate; &unr_; up + &unr_; 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ They ] denounce anathemas against unbelievers. Priestley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An imprecation; a curse; a malediction. [ 1913 Webster ]

Finally she fled to London followed by the anathemas of both [ families ]. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Any person or thing anathematized, or cursed by ecclesiastical authority. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Anathema Maranatha ety>(see 1 Cor. xvi. 22), an expression commonly considered as a highly intensified form of anathema. Maran atha is now considered as a separate sentence, meaning, “Our Lord cometh.” [ 1913 Webster ]