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apotropaism

American

[ap-uh-truh-pey-iz-uhm] / ˌæp ə trəˈpeɪ ɪz əm /

noun

the use of magic and ritualistic ceremony to anticipate and prevent evil.

Etymology

Origin of apotropaism

< Greek apotrópai ( on ) object that averts evil ( see apotropaic) + -ism

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.