-t(ə)rē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Late Latin phylacterium ) of earlier philatery, from Middle English philaterie, from Medieval Latin philaterium, alteration of Late Latin phylacterium, from Greek phylaktērion phylactery, amulet, safeguard, from phylak-, phylax guard
1. : either of two small square leather boxes with leather straps attached that contain parchment slips inscribed in Hebrew with the four scriptural passages Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 and 11: 13-21 and Exodus 13: 1-10 and 11-16 and that are worn fastened in a prescribed manner one on the left arm and one on the forehead by orthodox and conservative Jewish males during morning weekday prayers as reminders of their obligation to keep the Law
2. : a case or chest enclosing a holy relic
3.
[by confusion of the phylacteries (sense 1) mentioned in Mt 23: 5 with the zizith mentioned in Num 15: 38-39]
: a distinctive fringe or border
4. : something worn as a charm or preservative against danger or disease : amulet
5.
a. : an inscribed scroll that in medieval art is made to appear as if held or coming from the mouth to show what is being said ; broadly : record
b. : an infula of a miter
[s]phylacte.jpg[/s] [
phylactery 1
]