phylactery
[noun]
Synonyms: charm, amulet, fetish, juju, luck, mascot, periapt, talisman, zemi

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

phylactery noun. [fɪ'lakt(ǝ)ri] LME.
[(Old French filatiere from) late Latin fylacterium, phyl- safeguard, amulet from Greek phulaktērion, from phulaktēr guard, from phulak- stem of phulassein to guard.]
1. Either of two small leather boxes containing biblical texts written in Hebrew, worn by Jewish men during morning prayer on all days except the Sabbath as a reminder of the obligation to keep the law. LME.
make broad the phylactery [Matthew 23:5] boast of one's righteousness.
b. The fringe which the Israelites were commanded to wear as a reminder (Numbers 15:38, 39); any fringe or border. L16.
c. fig. A reminder; a religious observance, esp. an ostentatious or hypocritical one; a burdensome traditional observance. M17.

2. A container for a holy relic. LME.

3. An amulet; a charm, a safeguard. E19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲