abraxas

American  

[uh-brak-suhs] / əˈbræk səs /

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.

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abraxas British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of abraxas

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

Example Sentences

He had a large collection of amulets, Gnostic gems, and abraxas stones.

From Aylwin by Watts-Dunton, Theodore

Not all abraxas stones, however, are of gnostic origin, just as the name of abraxas cannot be applied to all gnostic stones.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1 A to Amide by Various

There are several interesting relics from the stone coffins discovered under the choir in 1829, including a papal absolution cross, an abraxas ring and a twelfth-century silver chalice and paten.

From Seaward Sussex The South Downs from End to End by Holmes, Edric