DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Mar·a·nath·a n.  “Our Lord cometh;” -- an expression used by St. Paul at the conclusion of his first Epistle to the Corinthians (xvi. 22). This word has been used in anathematizing persons for great crimes; as much as to say, “May the Lord come quickly to take vengeance of thy crimes.” See Anathema maranatha, under Anathema.
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 A·nath·e·ma n.; pl. Anathemas
 1. A ban or curse pronounced with religious solemnity by ecclesiastical authority, and accompanied by excommunication. Hence: Denunciation of anything as accursed.
    [They] denounce anathemas against unbelievers.   --Priestley.
 2. An imprecation; a curse; a malediction.
    Finally she fled to London followed by the anathemas of both [families].   --Thackeray.
 3. Any person or thing anathematized, or cursed by ecclesiastical authority.
    The Jewish nation were an anathema destined to destruction. St. Paul . . . says he could wish, to save them from it, to become an anathema, and be destroyed himself.   --Locke.
 Anathema Maranatha , an expression commonly considered as a highly intensified form of anathema.  Maran atha is now considered as a separate sentence, meaning, “Our Lord cometh.”
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