Anathema

a word originally signg some offering or gift to the gods, a suspended in the temple. It also signifies a thing that has been devoted to destruction (the equivalent of the Hebrew Cherem); | and was ultimately used in its strongest sense, implying eis as in Rom. ix., 3: Gal, i., 8-9. In the Roman Catholi¢ Church, from the 9th century, a distinction has been made between excommunication and anathematizing; the latter being employed only against obstinate offenders.