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tefillin

American  
[tuh-fil-in, tuh-fee-leen] / təˈfɪl ɪn, tə fiˈlin /
Or tephillin

plural noun

Judaism.
  1. the phylacteries.


Etymology

Origin of tefillin

1605–15; < Hebrew təphillīn, akin to təphillāh prayer

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.

That rope that tied him to us is still wound around us, like our tefillin, and it always will be.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

"It's the first time that he is wearing tefillin", Bandel said enthusiastically, referring to the small black leather boxes containing Torah scrolls.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

The video also showed Catholic iconography, an evangelical Christian service and a Jewish worshipper with a tefillin.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024

Turns out he was there to conduct a tefillin ceremony.

From Salon • Nov. 16, 2023

I got my tefillin from the night table and sat on my bed and prayed for a long time.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok

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