Apotropous

/ˌæpəˈtrəʊpəs/ adjective

Definition

Having the quality of warding off or averting evil; serving as protection against harm or misfortune.

Etymology

From Greek apotropos 'turning away evil,' from apo- 'away' and trepein 'to turn,' with English adjectival ending.

Kelly Says

The concept of 'turning away' harm appears in words from Greek to Japanese—suggesting that humans across language families conceptualize protection through the metaphor of redirection or deflection!

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