apotropaism

[ ap-uh-truh-pey-iz-uhm ]

noun
  1. the use of magic and ritualistic ceremony to anticipate and prevent evil.

Origin of apotropaism

1
<Greek apotrópai(on) object that averts evil (see apotropaic) + -ism

Words Nearby apotropaism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024