n. (pl. -ies)
1. a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law.
2 an amulet; a charm.
3 a usu. ostentatious religious observance.
4 a fringe; a border.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. LL phylacterium f. Gk phulakterion amulet f. phulasso guard