apotropaic

American  

[ap-uh-truh-pey-ik] / ˌæp ə trəˈpeɪ ɪk /

adjective

1. intended to ward off evil.

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apotropaic British  

/ ˌæpəʊtrəˈpeɪɪk /

adjective

1. preventing or intended to prevent evil

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Other Word Forms

• apotropaically adverb

Etymology

Origin of apotropaic

1880–85; < Greek apotrópai ( os ) averting evil ( 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

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

“They are like apotropaic amulets warding off the evil eye: an army of ever-watchful, unblinking, cyclopean eyes,” wrote critic Zoé Samudzi in a short monograph of William’s work published in 2021.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2023

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

This figure, which was not at all erotic, is reckoned by those in the know to have an apotropaic function.

From The Guardian • Jul. 19, 2012

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