The Collaborative International Dictionary
Phylactery \Phy*lac"ter*y\, n.; pl. Phylacteries. [OE. filateri, OF. filatire, filatiere, F. phylact[`e]re, L. phylacterium, Gr. ?, fr. ? a watcher, guard, ? to watch, guard. Cf. Philatory.]
Any charm or amulet worn as a preservative from danger or disease.
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.Among the primitive Christians, a case in which the relics of the dead were inclosed.
Wiktionary
n. (plural of phylactery English)
Usage examples of "phylacteries".
He puts on phylacteries, spends a lot of time over the Talmud, and has withdrawn into a quiet frail placidity.
Am I, the stinking Jew Jastrow, putting on phylacteries in Theresienstadt, and he, striking out all over Europe with clanking armies and roaring ai.
In those days, we started training for our life’s work at ten, then received the prayer shawl and phylacteries at thirteen, signifying our entry into manhood.
He was white-bearded and wore his prayer shawl and phylacteries wrapped about his upper arms and forehead.
In those days, we started training for our life's work at ten, then received the prayer shawl and phylacteries at thirteen, signifying our entry into manhood.
Happy are they who verify their Amulets, and make their Phylacteries speak in their Lives and Actions.
When Elisha was overtaken, he took off the phylacteries and hid them in his hands.