Apotropaic

//ˌæpətɹəˈpeɪ.ɪk// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Intended to ward off evil.

    "Wormwood [...] was associated with the rites of St. John's Eve, when a crown of the plant was made from its sprays for apotropaic purposes, to ward of malefic spirits."

Adjective
  1. 1
    having the power to prevent evil or bad luck wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    An agent intended to ward off evil.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Ancient Greek ἀποτρόπαιος (apotrópaios), from ἀπό (apó, “away”) and τρόπος (trópos, “turn”); thus meaning “causing things to turn away”, as in “turns away evil”.

Etymology 2

From Ancient Greek ἀποτρόπαιος (apotrópaios), from ἀπό (apó, “away”) and τρόπος (trópos, “turn”); thus meaning “causing things to turn away”, as in “turns away evil”.

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