/euh nath"euh meuh/ , n. , pl. anathemas .
1. a person or thing detested or loathed: That subject is anathema to him.
2. a person or thing accursed or consigned to damnation or destruction.
3. a formal ecclesiastical curse involving excommunication.
4. any imprecation of divine punishment.
5. a curse; execration.
[ 1520-30; ana ( ti ) thé ( nai ) to set up + -ma n. suffix ]