[phy.lac.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [ME philaterie, fr. ML philaterium, alter. of LL phylacterium, fr. Gk phylakterion amulet, phylactery, fr. phylassein to guard, fr. phylak-, phylax guard] (14c) 1: either of two small square leather boxes containing slips inscribed with scriptural passages and traditionally worn on the left arm and on the head by Jewish men during morning weekday prayers
2: amulet