In the fifth century, a formal distinction between anathema and minor excommunication evolved, where minor excommunication entailed cutting off a person or group from the rite of eucharist and attendance at worship, while anathema meant a complete separation of the subject from the church. A person or thing detested or loathed See examples of anathema used in a sentence. Officers who wished to leave the southern social order undisturbed were anathema because they placed the nation, not just the party, at risk. The main definitions of the noun anathema are (1) a detested person or thing, and (2) a formal ecclesiastical ban The term comes directly from latin, where it meant a doomed offering.
Definition of anathema noun in oxford advanced learner's dictionary Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. Something that one absolutely and positively cannot stand is anathema Garlic is anathema to vampires (ditto for stakes and daylight) So is kryptonite to superman or a silver bullet to a werewolf. This behavior is anathema to a university's mission and deeply damaging to our nation.
Oed's earliest evidence for anathema is from around 1548, in the writing of anthony gilby, religious writer and church of england clergyman. “anathema” in the bible typically conveys the idea of being “accursed” or “placed under a ban.” the greek term ἀνάθεμα (anathema) appears several times in the new testament.
OPEN
