phylactery
Judaism. either of two small, black, leather cubes containing a piece of parchment inscribed with verses 4–9 of Deuteronomy 6, 13–21 of Deuteronomy 11, and 1–16 of Exodus 13: one is attached with straps to the left arm and the other to the forehead during weekday morning prayers by Orthodox and Conservative Jewish men.
(in the early Christian church) a receptacle containing a holy relic.
an amulet, charm, or safeguard against harm or danger.
Origin of phylactery
1Other words from phylactery
- phyl·ac·ter·ic [fil-ak-ter-ik], /ˌfɪl ækˈtɛr ɪk/, phyl·ac·ter·i·cal, adjective
- phy·lac·ter·ied, adjective
Words Nearby phylactery
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use phylactery in a sentence
The Count says that more likely the engraver added the Swastika to these in the character of a talisman or phylactery.
The Swastika | Thomas WilsonAnother 'phylactery' consisted of a tiny bag of hoddentin, holding a small quartz crystal and four feathers of eagle-down.
The Myths of the North American Indians | Lewis SpenceThis phylactery, itself "medicine," may be employed to enwrap other "medicine" and thus augment its own potentiality.
The first phylactery which it was my good fortune to be allowed to examine was one worn by Ta-ul-tzu-je, of the Kaytzentin gens.
I do not know how Kirstie became convinced that, whoever or whatever the enemy might be, Mr. Johnstone was the phylactery.
Two Sides of the Face | Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
British Dictionary definitions for phylactery
/ (fɪˈlæktərɪ) /
Also called: Tefillah Judaism (usually plural) either of the pair of blackened square cases containing parchments inscribed with biblical passages, bound by leather thongs to the head and left arm, and worn by Jewish men during weekday morning prayers
a reminder or aid to remembering
archaic an amulet or charm
Origin of phylactery
1Collins 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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