evil eye


noun

a look thought capable of inflicting injury or bad luck on the person at whom it is directed.
the power, superstitiously attributed to certain persons, of inflicting injury or bad luck by such a look.

Origin of evil eye

before 1000; Middle English, Old English

OTHER WORDS FROM evil eye

e·vil-eyed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for evil eye

British Dictionary definitions for evil eye

evil eye

noun the evil eye

a look or glance superstitiously supposed to have the power of inflicting harm or injury
the power to inflict harm, etc, by such a look

Derived forms of evil eye

evil-eyed, adjective

Idioms and Phrases with evil eye

evil eye

The power to cause injury or misfortune, as in The tomatoes died shortly after planting—I must have an evil eye. The source of this expression is the ancient superstitious belief that some individuals could inflict harm on others simply by looking at them. Today the term is generally used figuratively or ironically, as above, and also in the form give someone the evil eye, which means “glare malevolently at someone.” For example, Helen gave his cat the evil eye, hoping it would stay out of her garden. [Late 1300s]