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

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

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

From Aylwin by Watts-Dunton, Theodore

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