apotropaic
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of apotropaic
1880–85; < Greek apotrópai ( os ) averting evil ( see apo-, trope) + -ic
Explanation
Rituals that are meant to ward off bad luck are apotropaic. You may have your own apotropaic superstitions, like avoiding stepping on a crack or crossing your fingers. Ancient civilizations had plenty of apotropaic magic, ceremonies, and actions that were believed to keep evil away, and so do modern people. Egyptian amulets, witches' marks cut into wood, crosses or horseshoes hung above doorways, knocking on wood, and good luck charms are all considered to be apotropaic. Apotropaic is from the Greek apotropaios, "averting evil," and its roots, apo, "away," and trepein, "to turn."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This wartime amulet is apotropaic art, attempting to deflect the gamble with death.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
Above his pitches for proprietary health-nut dietary blends, Johnson's slogan of "Don't die" hangs like an apotropaic talisman on his social media banners.
From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2023
A herm’s original apotropaic function as a statue to ward off evil is here colonized by traditional femininity — and now runs gleefully amok.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 20, 2019
The "apotropaic" marks were scribed into the cave surface as they were thought to keep evil spirits coming from the underworld.
From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2019
But the term "apotropaic" is generally used of expulsive ceremonies in which a whole community takes part.
From Introduction to the History of Religions Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume IV by Jastrow, Morris
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
