apotropaism, n. Anthropol.
Brit. /ˌapətrəˈpeɪɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˌæpətrəˈpeɪˌɪz(ə)m/
[‹ ancient Greek ἀποτρόπαιος (see apotropaic adj.) + -ism suffix. Compare Hellenistic Greek ἀποτροπιασµός, Byzantine Greek ἀποτροπίασµα. Compare earlier apotropaic adj.]
The use of magic or ritual to avert evil influences or bad luck. Also: a magic charm or incantation used for such purposes.
| 1913 C. H. Toy Introd. Hist. Relig. iii. 66 Apotropaism has hardly survived at all in the higher religions. 1946 Folk-lore 57 156 A convenient introduction to apotropaism in the Greek painted vases is provided by a group of kylikes of Attic black-figure ware. 1978 Ethos 6 128 The Atharva Veda has apotropaisms for no other dreadful animal except the scorpion. 1989 Observer 12 Nov. 46/6, I see no reason for not including these in my personal battery of apotropaisms. 1994 G. W. Trompf Payback ii. 119 More common than appeasement and apotropaism..were offerings, rites..in the contexts of feasts performed before superhuman beings who were capable of benefiting rather than threatening. |