† ˈanathem, n. Obs.
[a. Fr. anathème (12th c. in Littré), ad. L. anathema: see next. Rhymes with them in Sylvester, with dream in Drummond.]
1. One accursed. = anathema 1. rare.
| c 1555 Harpsfield Divorce Hen. VIII (1878) 149 Pope Julius was an anatheme and accursed for dispensing with the same. |
2. A sentence of damnation, a curse, = anathema 2.
| c 1555 Harpsfield Divorce Hen. VIII (1878) 61 Terrible anathems and excommunications. 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas, Captaines 386 The voice divine..[had] choicely armed them 'Gainst Jericho, with his owne anathem. c 1630 Drummond of Hawthornden Poems (1711) 10/2 My voice, now cleave the earth with anathems..Till..life a slumber is of fearfull dreams. 1648 Gage West. Ind. iii. (1655) 8 Excommunicated with an Anathem. |