amulet

[In Dan., Dut., & Ger. amulet; Fr. amulette; Sp., Port., & Ital. amuleto; Lat. 195 amuletum. From Arab. hamalet = an amulet; hamal a = to carry.] 1. Lit. Anything hung round the neck, placed like a bracelet on the wrist, or otherwise attached to the person, as an imagined preservative against sickne , "witchcraft," or other evils. Amulets were common in the ancient world, and they are so yet in nations where ignorance prevails. Thus an observant visitor to a school in India may see many a pupil with a piece of ordinary string tied bracelet fashion round one or both of AMULET. his wrists. This is an amulet, or talisman, which having been ble ed by a Brahman, has then been sold for half a rupee (about a shilling), or even for a rupee itself, as a sure preservative against fever. [See TALISMAN, CHARM.] the little images of the tutelar deities, even the earrings, probably considered as amulets or talismans, were taken away and buried."- Milman : Hist . of Jews , 3rd ed., vol. i., p. 36. "How could she thus that gem forget? Her mother's sainted amulet ." Byron: Bride of Abydos, ii. 5. 2. Fig .: A preservative against sin. : thou hadst an amulet In the loved image, graven on thy heart, Which would have saved thee from the tempter's art." Moore: Lalla Rookh ; Veiled Prophet.