apotropaic
English
WOTD – 10 January 2015
Etymology
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".
Adjective
apotropaic (comparative more apotropaic, superlative most apotropaic)
- (religion, mysticism) Intended to ward off evil.
- 2007 August 12, Christopher Hitchens, "Harry Potter: The Boy Who Lived", New York Times Book Review:
- A boring subtext, about the wisdom or otherwise of actually uttering Voldemort's name, meanwhile robs the apotropaic device of its force.
- 2007 August 12, Christopher Hitchens, "Harry Potter: The Boy Who Lived", New York Times Book Review:
Derived terms
Derived terms
- apotropaeus
- apotropaically
- apotropaic eye
- apotropaic magic
- apotropaism
Translations
intended to ward off evil
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Noun
apotropaic (plural apotropaics)
- An agent intended to ward off evil.
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