anathema n noun 1 something that one vehemently dislikes: racism was anathema to her.

2 a formal curse of the Church, excommunicating a person or denouncing a d octrine. ORIGIN C16: from ecclesiastical Latin, from Greek anathema 'thing dedicated', ( later) 'thing devoted to evil', from anatithenai 'to set up'. syncretism n noun 1 the amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought . 2 Linguistics the merging of different inflectional varieties of a word du ring the development of a language. DERIVATIVES syncretic adjective syncretist noun & adjective syncretistic adjective ORIGIN C17: from modern Latin syncretismus, from Greek sunkretismos, from sunkr etizein 'unite against a third party', from sun- 'together' + kres 'Cretan' (ori ginally with reference to ancient Cretan communities). venerate n verb regard with great respect. DERIVATIVES veneration noun venerator noun ORIGIN C17 (earlier (Middle English) as veneration): from Latin venerat-, vener ari 'adore, revere'. distich n noun Prosody a pair of verse lines; a couplet. ORIGIN C16: via Latin from Greek distikhon (metron) '(measure) of two lines', n euter of distikhos, from di- 'twice' + stikhos 'line'. effigy n noun (plural effigies) a sculpture or model of a person. ORIGIN C16: from Latin effigies, from effingere 'to fashion (artistically)'. heterodox n adjective not conforming with orthodox standards or beliefs. DERIVATIVES heterodoxy noun ORIGIN

C17: via late Latin from Greek heterodoxos, from heteros 'other' + doxa 'opinion'. banter n noun the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks. n verb engage in banter. DERIVATIVES banterer noun bantering adjective banteringly adverb ORIGIN C17: of unknown origin. apartheid n noun the system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race in f orce in South Africa 1948 91. ORIGIN 1940s: from Afrikaans, literally 'separateness', from Dutch apart 'separ ate' + -heid (equivalent of -hood). barrow1 n noun British a two-wheeled handcart used especially by street vendors. pandemonium n noun wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar. parapet n noun 1 a low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony. 2 a protective wall or earth defence along the top of a military trench expunge n verb obliterate or remove completely. DERIVATIVES expunction noun expungement noun expunger noun vocation n noun 1 a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation. 2 a person's employment or main occupation, especially one requiring dedic ation. a trade or profession.

exonerate n verb 1 officially absolve from blame. 2 (exonerate someone from) release someone from (a duty or obligation).

assail n verb 1 make a concerted or violent attack on. 2 (of an unpleasant feeling) come upon (someone) strongly.