Meaning & use
apotropaic
Last updated
Intended to ward off evil or bad luck.
See it in a sentence
The carved gargoyles were believed to serve an apotropaic purpose, scaring away evil spirits.
Many cultures hang apotropaic charms, like the evil eye, above doorways.
A note on using this word
A specialized term mostly used in anthropology, folklore, and art history when discussing symbols or rituals meant to protect against harm.
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