apotropaic

[ ap-uh-truh-pey-ik ]

adjective

1. intended to ward off evil.

apotropaic

/ ˌæpəʊtrəˈpeɪɪk /

adjective

1. preventing or intended to prevent evil

Other Words From

• apo·tro·pai·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of apotropaic¹

1880–85; < Greek apotrópai ( os ) averting evil ( apo-, trope ) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of apotropaic¹

C19: from Greek apotropaios turning away (evil), from apotrepein; see apo- , trope

Example Sentences

Above his pitches for proprietary health-nut dietary blends, Johnson's slogan of "Don't die" hangs like an apotropaic talisman on his social media banners.

From Salon

The most common type of apotropaic mark is the daisy wheel, or hexafoil, which is often a six-petal “flower” drawn with a pair of compasses.

From Fox News

The logic of substitution is common to folk magic around the world and might have been central to apotropaic magic, too.

From The New Yorker

A herm’s original apotropaic function as a statue to ward off evil is here colonized by traditional femininity — and now runs gleefully amok.

From Los Angeles Times

The "apotropaic" marks were scribed into the cave surface as they were thought to keep evil spirits coming from the underworld.

From BBC