abraxas
[uh-brak-suh s]
- a word of unknown significance found on charms, especially amulets, of the late Greco-Roman world and linked with both Gnostic beliefs and magical practices by the early church fathers.
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Origin of abraxas
From the Greek word abráxas, abrasáx, of obscure origin; the combined numerical value of the Gk letters is 365, an important figure in numerology
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for abraxas
Historical Examples
In this connexion the name Abraxas and the Abraxas gems must be remembered.
Abraxas-stones were so called from having the word Abraxas or Abrasax engraved on them.
Finger-Ring LoreWilliam Jones
Abraxas stones, stones with cabalistic figures on them used as talismans.
The Nuttall EncyclopaediaEdited by Rev. James Wood
To the abraxas succeeded the talismans, which were of the highest estimation in the East.
Not all abraxas stones, however, are of gnostic origin, just as the name of abraxas cannot be applied to all gnostic stones.
abraxas
abrasax (əˈbræsəks)
- an ancient charm composed of Greek letters: originally believed to have magical powers and inscribed on amulets, etc, but from the second century ad personified by Gnostics as a deity, the source of divine emanations
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Word Origin
from Greek: invented word
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for abraxas
Cabalistic word, 1738, of uncertain origin.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper