evil eye

or E·vil Eye

[ ee-vuhl ahy ]

noun

1. Often Facetious. a look expressing hostility, stern disapproval, jealousy, etc.:

   As he left he turned and cast an evil eye in my direction, full of contempt.

   I’d better get off the phone—I’m getting the evil eye from my mom.

2. a look thought to be capable of inflicting bad luck or misfortune on the person at whom it is directed:

   One did not need to be a witch to give the evil eye—it could happen accidentally.

3. the power, superstitiously attributed to certain persons, of inflicting bad luck or misfortune by a look:

   The evil eye was recognized by the Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and ancient Egyptians from as early as 3000 b.c.

4. an attack carried out by means of magic power exercised through a look; a curse, jinx, or spell:

   Do you know anyone who can remove the evil eye?

evil eye

noun

1. a look or glance superstitiously supposed to have the power of inflicting harm or injury
2. the power to inflict harm, etc, by such a look

Derived Forms

• ˌevil-ˈeyed, adjective

Other Words From

• e·vil-eyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of evil eye¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English

Idioms and Phrases

The power to cause injury or misfortune, as in The tomatoes died shortly after planting—I must have an evil eye . The source of this expression is the ancient superstitious belief that some individuals could inflict harm on others simply by looking at them. Today the term is generally used figuratively or ironically, as above, and also in the form give someone the evil eye , which means “glare malevolently at someone.” For example, Helen gave his cat the evil eye, hoping it would stay out of her garden . [Late 1300s]

Example Sentences

We knock wood, we do that tfoo-tfoo-tfoo spitting thing to ward off the Evil Eye.

From The Daily Beast

“[T]he unaffiliated are about as likely as Christians to believe in reincarnation, astrology, or the evil eye,” the report says.

From The Daily Beast

He sailed in circles, while his evil eye looked down at the frightened, scampering White Wyandottes.

From Project Gutenberg

I soon found the temple and the Brahmin, and accosting him, I begged for a charm against the evil eye for my child.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, they were a protection against witchcraft or the evil eye (fascinti), especially the lnulae.

From Project Gutenberg

These unwonted accompaniments of a bachelor supper were looked upon with an evil eye by some of the guests.

From Project Gutenberg

He lifted the lump to the light of his lamp, and from the centre of it a mocking evil eye leered back at him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bad eye