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anathematize

[uh-nath-uh-muh-tahyz]
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verb (used with object), a·nath·e·ma·tized, a·nath·e·ma·tiz·ing.
  1. to pronounce an anathema against; denounce; curse.
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verb (used without object), a·nath·e·ma·tized, a·nath·e·ma·tiz·ing.
  1. to pronounce anathemas; curse.
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Also especially British, a·nath·e·ma·tise.

Origin of anathematize

1560–70; (< Middle French) < Late Latin anathematizāre to put under the ban, curse, detest < Greek anathematízein to bind by a curse, make accursed, equivalent to anathemat- (stem of anáthema) + -izein -ize
Related formsa·nath·e·ma·ti·za·tion, nouna·nath·e·ma·tiz·er, nounde·a·nath·e·ma·tize, verb (used with object), de·a·nath·e·ma·tized, de·a·nath·e·ma·tiz·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

execrate, maledict, damn, imprecate, excommunicate, comminate

Examples from the Web for anathematize

Historical Examples

  • She must have no terms with it; if she would be true to her Master, she must ban and anathematize it.

    Apologia Pro Vita Sua

    John Henry Cardinal Newman

  • He resolved to annihilate the unruly corps and anathematize their name.

  • Be sure that Ravenna, anathematize as he may, will never be permitted to enter that convent.

    The Shadow of the Czar

    John R. Carling

  • Will they burn me at Carfax, or will they anathematize me with bell, book, and candle?

  • For my part, I utterly repudiate and anathematize the intruder.

British Dictionary definitions for anathematize

anathematize

anathematise

verb
  1. to pronounce an anathema (upon a person, etc); curse
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Derived Formsanathematization or anathematisation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for anathematize

v.

"to pronounce an anathema against," 1560s, from French anathématiser (Old French anatemer), from Latin anathematizare, from Greek anathematizein "to devote (to evil)," from stem of anathema. Alternative anathemize (1670s) is less correct and more rare. Related: Anathematized; anathematizing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper