Anathematizer

/əˈnæθəməˌtaɪzər/ noun

Definition

A person who anathematizes; someone who pronounces curses or condemnations, especially a religious authority who excludes people from the church.

Etymology

From anathematize plus the suffix -er, which creates a noun meaning 'one who performs the action.' The suffix -er is one of English's most productive agent noun suffixes.

Kelly Says

Medieval bishops were powerful anathematizers—their curse could theoretically doom someone's eternal soul, which made them among the most feared people in Europe.

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