abraxas

[uh-brak-suhs]

noun

1. 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.

abraxas

/ əˈbræksəs, əˈbræsəks /

noun

1. 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of abraxas¹

First recorded in 1710–20; from Greek word abráxas, abrásax, abrasáx, of obscure origin; the combined numerical value of the Greek letters is 365, an important figure in Gnosticism and numerology

Word History and Origins

Origin of abraxas¹

from Greek: invented word

Example Sentences

The bronze sculpture, designed by Norfolk-based artist collective Abraxas Academy, will be officially unveiled today at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, the UK's national remembrance site.

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Abraxas Academy, a collective of artists behind the LGBT+ Armed Forces Community Memorial, were chosen from over 35 submissions by a panel made up of current and former LGBT+ personnel and groups including the Royal British Legion.

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The large-scale sculpture, designed by Norfolk-based artist collective Abraxas Academy, will stand in the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire after it's unveiled later this year.

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Abraxas Academy is a secure residential treatment program providing “specialized care for delinquent male youth between the ages of 14 to 18 in 9th grade or above,” according to the facility’s website.

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The Reading division of the Pennsylvania State Police and other agencies were searching for nine juveniles who escaped from Abraxas Academy around 8 p.m.,

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