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