phylactery Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (Judaism) either of two small leather cases containing texts from the Hebrew Scriptures (known collectively as tefillin); traditionally worn (on the forehead and the left arm) by Jewish men during morning prayer
    tefillin.

WordNet

Phy*lac"ter*y noun
Etymology
OE. filateri, OF. filatire, filatiere, F. phylactère, L. phylacterium, Gr. , fr. a watcher, guard, to watch, guard. Cf. Philatory.
Wordforms
plural Phylacteries
Definitions
  1. Any charm or amulet worn as a preservative from danger or disease.
  2. A small square box, made either of parchment or of black calfskin, containing slips of parchment or vellum on which are written the scriptural passages Exodus xiii. 2-10, and 11-17, Deut. vi. 4-9, 13-22. They are worn by Jews on the head and left arm, on week-day mornings, during the time of prayer. Schaff-Herzog Encyc.
  3. Among the primitive Christians, a case in which the relics of the dead were inclosed.

Webster 1913