Evil eye

//ˌiːvl̩‿ˈaɪ// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A wicked look conveying dislike or envy that in many cultures is believed to be able to cause bad luck or injury; also, the ability to cause bad luck or injury through such a look, supposed to be possessed by some people.

    "Each of the young men, in saluting the new-comer, made mechanically, and with care to conceal it from him, a slight gesture or sign with their fingers; for Arbaces, the Egyptian, was supposed to possess the fatal gift of the evil eye."

  2. 2
    a look that is believed to have the power of inflicting harm wordnet
  3. 3
    The charm used to ward off the evil eye; a nazar.

    "Isma laughed, but Hira drew her shoulders in tighter, reached out to touch the evil eye that hung on her wall and which Isma had always assumed to be merely decorative."

  4. 4
    A look conveying disapproval, envy, hostility, etc. humorous, often

    "Near-synonym: side-eye"

Etymology

From Middle English ivel eie (“evil eye; envy”), from Old English eage yfel, a calque of Latin oculus malus, from oculus (“eye”) + malus (“bad, evil, wicked; destructive, hurtful, injurious; unfavourable, unlucky”).

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