herem

American

[khe-rem, khey-ruhm] / ˈxɛ rɛm, ˈxeɪ rəm /

Or cherem

noun

Hebrew.

the most severe form of excommunication, formerly used by rabbis in sentencing wrongdoers, usually for an indefinite period of time.

Etymology

Origin of herem

ḥerem literally, banishment

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Rabbi! with that herem you have laid a burden upon a man who was pleasant in the sight of God and man!"

From An Obscure Apostle A Dramatic Story by Soissons, C. S. de

The Greek word anathema, Hebrew herem, means to accurse, execrate, to damn.

From Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians by Graebner, Theodore

For the one who shall find that writing, and shall read it aloud to the people—upon that one shall the herem fall.

From An Obscure Apostle A Dramatic Story by Soissons, C. S. de

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023