noun any charm or amulet worn as a preservative from danger or disease.
2. phylactery ·noun among the primitive christians, a case in which the relics of the dead were inclosed.
3. phylactery ·noun a small square box, made either of parchment or of black calfskin, containing slips of parchment or vellum on which are written the scriptural passages exodus xiii. 2-10, and 11-17, deut. vi. 4-9, 13-22. they are worn by jews on the head and left arm, on week-day mornings, during the time of prayer.