What does anathemata mean?
Anathemata is the plural of anathema, a word for something—or someone—emphatically condemned and treated with intense loathing. The expression often denotes formal denunciations, curses, or anathemas pronounced against a person, belief, or institution, especially in religious, political, and literary contexts. Because anathema carries more force than ordinary criticism, using its plural suggests disapproval of the strongest kind, not merely strong dislike. Anathemata is uncommon in everyday speech and sounds formal, archaic, or rhetorical, though it remains clear to educated English speakers. The word is also a vivid example of how a specialized religious term can become a general literary intensifier. Although normally encountered in the plural, it is the form modern English uses when speaking of several people or things condemned with equal severity.
noun (plural only)The plural of anathema: people or things subjected to emphatic condemnation or intense hatred. It can also refer to multiple solemn curses or declarations of denunciation.
- People, things, beliefs, or practices that are emphatically repudiated and regarded as deserving of condemnation.
- Multiple solemn curses, denunciations, or declarations of excommunication.
"Opponents of the measure called its provisions anathemata, denouncing them as destructive."
"The council pronounced anathemata against the teachings it declared heretical."
"To some editors, the proposed changes to the novel had become anathemata."
This is a plural-only form of anathema. Anathemas is also standard, but anathemata preserves the plural form of the underlying Greek word.
"The two statements were regarded by the council as anathemata."
The Greek behind anathemata originally referred to something set up or dedicated; in English, it survives chiefly as the ultimate word for condemnation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anathemata
The word comes through Late Latin from Greek ἀνάθεμα (anáthema), originally meaning a thing set up or something dedicated, and ultimately connected with Greek anatíthēmi, “to set up.” In Greek and later Christian usage, its sense developed toward a solemn curse or excommunication, with the idea of a person or thing being set apart for condemnation. English adopted it with this strongly condemnatory force, and the same root also produced forms such as anathematize, anathematization, and anathematic.
Related word forms
How anathemata is actually used
This plural form is formal, literary, and somewhat archaic-sounding, but it remains standard in British and American English. It is especially associated with religious condemnation and strong rhetorical denunciation.
Easily confused with anathemata
Anathemas is the usual English plural of anathema, while anathemata is also a standard plural that preserves the plural ending of the Greek source.