amulet

[ am-yuh-lit ]

See synonyms for amulet on Thesaurus.com

noun

a small object worn to ward off evil, harm, or illness or to bring good fortune; a protective charm.

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Origin of amulet

First recorded in 1595–1605; either from Middle French amulete or directly from Latin amulētum

Other words for amulet

good luck charm, talisman

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use amulet in a sentence

Facing the prospect of life-altering injury or death, men readily sacralized objects they believed might serve as amulets against harm.
How World War II's ‘Dear John’ Letters Changed American Society | Susan L. Carruthers | February 14, 2022 | Time
In November, for instance, archaeologists dug up more than 100 ornately painted wooden coffins, some with mummies, and dozens of other artifacts, including amulets, funeral statues and masks.
In the tombs of Saqqara, new discoveries are rewriting ancient Egypt’s history | Sudarsan Raghavan | April 22, 2021 | Washington Post
Was it a charm or amulet to be used by anyone which derived its value from the signification given to it?
The Swastika | Thomas Wilson
A girl who loves one man purely has about her an amulet which defies the advances of the profligate.
Night and Morning, Complete | Edward Bulwer-Lytton
She plucked an amulet from her neck, gazing on it for an instant ere she laid it softly, tenderly, in the dead man's breast.
Sarchedon | G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville

In Aristotle's time, rue hung about the neck as an amulet prevented witchcraft.
The Mysteries of All Nations | James Grant
When the girl heard that her spouse had been killed she took a piece of his skin and wore it as an amulet.
The Myths of the North American Indians | Lewis Spence

British Dictionary definitions for amulet

amulet

/ (ˈæmjʊlɪt) /

noun

a trinket or piece of jewellery worn as a protection against evil; charm

Origin of amulet

C17: from Latin amulētum, of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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