phylactery

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   either of two small leather cases containing Torah passages, traditionally worn during weekday morning prayer; a tefilla

   He fastened the arm phylactery before beginning the morning prayers.

2. 2
   noun

   historical: an amulet, charm, or protective object

   The knight carried a tiny phylactery that was believed to ward off harm.

From Middle English philacterie, through Late Latin phylacterium from Greek phylakterion ('safeguard, amulet'), related to phylassein ('to guard'). The protective-charm sense preceded the specialized Jewish use for either of the two tefillin cases.

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