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apotropaic

 - 3 dictionary results

ap·o·tro·pa·ic

   [ap-uh-truh-pey-ik]
–adjective
intended to ward off evil.
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Origin:
1880–85; < Gk apotrópai(os) averting evil (see apo-, trope) + -ic

—Related forms
ap·o·tro·pa·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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Word Origin & History

apotropaic
1883, from Gk. apotropaios "averting evil," from apotrepein "to turn away, avert," from apo- "off, away" + trepein "to turn" (see trope).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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ap·o·tro·pa·ic   (āp'ə-trō-pā'ĭk)   
adj.  Intended to ward off evil: an apotropaic symbol.

[From Greek apotropaios, from apotrepein, to ward off : apo-, apo- + trepein, to turn; see trep- in Indo-European roots.]
ap'o·tro·pa'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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