Synonyms for phylactery


Grammar : Noun
Spell : fi-lak-tuh-ree
Phonetic Transcription : fɪˈlæk tə ri


Définition of phylactery

Origin :
  • late 14c., "small leathern box containing four Old Testament texts," from Old French filatiere (12c.) and directly from Medieval Latin philaterium, from Late Latin phylacterium "reliquary," from Greek phylacterion "safeguard, amulet," noun use of neuter of adjective phylakterios "serving as a protection," from phylakter "watcher, guard," from phylassein "to guard or ward off," from phylax (genitive phylakos) "guard," of unknown origin. Sometimes worn on the forehead, based on a literal reading of scripture:
  • Ye shall bind them [my words] for a sign upon your hands, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. [Deut. xi:18]
  • noun scripture container
Example sentences :
  • There is no phylactery against the poor opinion of one's grandchildren.
  • Extract from : « The Book of This and That » by Robert Lynd
  • "Entertainment for Pilgrims" ought to be bound round it as a sort of phylactery.
  • Extract from : « Heriot's Choice » by Rosa Nouchette Carey
  • Another 'phylactery' consisted of a tiny bag of hoddentin, holding a small quartz crystal and four feathers of eagle-down.
  • Extract from : « The Myths of the North American Indians » by Lewis Spence
  • Philemo once asked Rabbi (the Holy), "If a man has two heads, on which is he to put the phylactery?"
  • Extract from : « Hebraic Literature; Translations from the Talmud, Midrashim and Kabbala » by Various
  • This phylactery, itself "medicine," may be employed to enwrap other "medicine" and thus augment its own potentiality.
  • Extract from : « The Medicine-Men of the Apache. (1892 N 09 / 1887-1888 (pages 443-604)) » by John G. Bourke
  • 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.
  • Extract from : « The Medicine-Men of the Apache. (1892 N 09 / 1887-1888 (pages 443-604)) » by John G. Bourke
  • I do not know how Kirstie became convinced that, whoever or whatever the enemy might be, Mr. Johnstone was the phylactery.
  • Extract from : « Two Sides of the Face » by Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
  • If Peter Faneuil made not broad his phylactery, he made broad that mantle of charity, which covereth a multitude of sins.
  • Extract from : « Dealings With The Dead » by A Sexton of the Old School
  • Herein he has sense enough to know that only in kabrit (sulphur) is the phylactery which destroys the phylloxera.
  • Extract from : « The Book of Khalid » by Ameen Rihani
  • The Count says that more likely the engraver added the Swastika to these in the character of a talisman or phylactery.
  • Extract from : « The Swastika » by Thomas Wilson

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019