WORD FOR THE DAY(5/7/18)Anathema

Merriam Webster | 5/7/18

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WORD FOR THE DAY(5/7/18)Anathema



Word of the Day : May 7th, 2018

anathema

noun uh-NATH-uh-muh

• •

Definition

1 a : one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority

b : someone or something intensely disliked or loathed — usually used as a predicate nominative

2 a : a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunication

b : the denunciation of something as accursed

c : a vigorous denunciation : curse

Did You Know?

From a historical perspective, anathema can be considered a one-word oxymoron. When it first appeared in English in the 1500s, it was used to refer to something accursed. Shortly thereafter, however, people also began to use it to refer to something consecrated to divine use—generally a good thing. Why the contradiction? Anathema comes from Greek, where it initially meant "anything devoted" and later "anything devoted to evil." The "consecrated to divine use" sense of anathema comes from that earlier Greek use but is not widely used today. Modern English speakers are most likely to encounter anathema used as a predicate nominative in the sense of "someone or something that is intensely disliked," as in the example sentences below.

Examples

"Diets were anathema to Julia because they implied that food was harmful." — Cook's Illustrated, November & December 2004

"Preordaining a peaceful future, especially an apparently zombie-free one, should be anathema to a show that clings to week-by-week anticipation." — Charles Bramesco, The New York Times, 5 Mar. 2018

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Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence.

The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day.

MY ENTRY: Just as some sites do not allow FR to post their articles, there are some sites that are anathema to FR.

[left that other site]

Sounds like a good name for a Rock Band! :-)

[BenLurkin]

Stand up and show respect. Our national anthem is not an anathema.

[left that other site]

Amen to THAT! :-)

[litehaus]

” Modern English speakers are most likely to encounter anathema used as a predicate nominative in the sense of “someone or something that is intensely disliked,” as in the example sentences below.”

Examples: HONESTY is an anathema in Washington, D.C.

[Red Badger]

My cousin had anathema attack, but luckily she had her inhaler handy...............

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

In High School I was a rebel. When the English teacher insisted we write a theme I refused because I was anti-thema.

[left that other site]

I was a rebel in High School too! :-)

[Texan5]

Oh, perfect word for she who must not be looked at-

Hillary has become anathema
Something that Bill never was-
But he was sometimes amusing
And she is evil in all she does

As for her greed with money
You can surely count on that-
And she is dangerous-as well
And crazy as a s***house rat

In comparison Bill’s sexcapades
Are pranks he wanted to hide
He is not as evil as his wifey-
Couldn’t be even if he tried

[Robert A Cook PE]

Susan’s paper was well organized and logically arranged with consistent discussions. Anna’s paper was the opposite, and deserved her F. Yes, it was her worst anathema .

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I agree!

[left that other site]

F’s, though richly deserved, are always an anathema!

[MoochPooch]

Apparently right-wing is very much anathema to them:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3653250/posts

[left that other site]

sad but true.