Phylact

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An old variant of phylactery, meaning a small charm or amulet worn on the body as protection against harm
2. A talisman or protective charm carried or worn to ward off evil, a rare older form of phylactery
3. A rare term for an amulet worn as a safeguard, especially one bearing sacred words or symbols

Etymology: Greek "phylassein" meant "to guard," and "phylaktērion" was a safeguard or protective charm. Late Latin borrowed this as "phylacterium," and English took the Greek-derived form "phylactery" for a protective object. The clipped form "phylact" is a shorter variant of that same word. The most familiar sense comes from Jewish practice. Tefillin are small leather boxes containing scriptural passages, bound to the arm and forehead during prayer, and English writers adopted "phylactery" to describe them. The Gospels use the Greek term in the same sense when Jesus criticizes those who widen their phylacteries, so the English word carries an old religious association. Medieval and early modern writers also used the term more loosely for any amulet or charm worn for protection. Because the word has been used mainly in religious and antiquarian contexts, it has stayed rare in everyday English.