Etymology: < post-classical Latin anathema cursed or excommunicated person (Vetus Latina, Vulgate; late 2nd or early 3rd cent. in Tertullian), curse, especially curse of excommunication (Vulgate; late 2nd or early 3rd cent. in Tertullian), expiatory offering (Vulgate) < Hellenistic Greek ἀνάθεμα anything dedicated (3rd cent. bc), anything devoted to evil, accursed thing (Septuagint, New Testament), curse < ἀνα- ana- prefix + θέμα theme n., after ἀνατιθέναι to set up. Compare earlier anathema maranatha phr. and later anatheme n.¹Compare Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French anatheme (late 12th cent.; French anathème), Spanish anatema (second half of the 13th cent. as †anathema), Portuguese anátema (14th cent. as †anathema), Italian anatema (1363 as †anathemathi, plural); also German Anathema (1528 or earlier in Luther; also as adjective, chiefly in anathema sein to be accursed), Old Russian, Russian anafema (11th cent.). In the plural form anathemata after the Greek plural form.

Etymology: < (i) German Anathema thing consecrated to divine use (1526 or earlier in Luther, with reference to holocausts in Jewish ritual), and its etymon (ii) post-classical Latin anathema offering (Vulgate) < ancient Greek ἀνάθημα votive offering, thing set up (to the gods) < ἀνα- ana- prefix + θῆμα tomb ( < the stem of τιθέναι to put, place (see theme n.) + -μα : see -oma comb. form), after ἀνατιθέναι to set up. Compare earlier anathema n.¹ and later anatheme n.²In the plural form anathemata after the Greek plural form.