abraxas

[ uh-brak-suh s ]
/ əˈbræk səs /

noun

a word of unknown significance found on charms, especially amulets, of the late Greco-Roman world and linked with both Gnostic beliefs and magical practices by the early church fathers.

Origin of abraxas

From the Greek word abráxas, abrasáx, of obscure origin; the combined numerical value of the Gk letters is 365, an important figure in numerology

Words nearby abraxas

Example sentences from the Web for abraxas

British Dictionary definitions for abraxas

abraxas

abrasax (əˈbræsəks)

/ (əˈbræksəs) /

noun

an ancient charm composed of Greek letters: originally believed to have magical powers and inscribed on amulets, etc, but from the second century ad personified by Gnostics as a deity, the source of divine emanations

Word Origin for abraxas

from Greek: invented word