imprecator

Definition

1. Noun:
   • One who utters a curse or invokes evil upon someone: An "imprecator" is a person who calls down a curse or malediction upon another, often in a formal or vehement manner.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The angry mob’s leader acted as the chief imprecator, shouting curses at the accused. (The person who utters curses against someone.)
  • In ancient rituals, an imprecator would invoke divine punishment on enemies. (A person who formally calls down evil.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be an imprecator of doom": to habitually or dramatically pronounce curses or predictions of misfortune.
  • The old man was known as an imprecator of doom, always predicting ruin for the village. (He frequently uttered curses or dire predictions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Imprecate (verb): to invoke evil upon; to curse.
  • He would imprecate his rivals in a fit of rage. (He would call down curses on them.)
• Imprecation (noun): a spoken curse; the act of cursing.
  • Her imprecation was so fierce that it silenced the room. (Her curse was powerful.)
• Imprecatory (adjective): relating to or expressing a curse.
  • The imprecatory psalm calls for divine vengeance on enemies. (The psalm contains curses.)

Synonyms

• Curser: one who utters a curse.
• Maledictor: one who speaks evil against another (formal).
• Anathema: a formal curse by ecclesiastical authority (noun, not a person).

Related Idioms

• Call down a curse: to utter an imprecation.
  • The witch called down a curse on the entire kingdom. (She uttered an imprecation.)
• Curse like a sailor: to swear vehemently (though not necessarily with formal imprecation).
  • He cursed like a sailor after losing his wallet. (He used strong, angry language.)