Meanings
plural apotropaia
- Something that wards off evil; an amulet or magic charm.
Ancient literature provides clear evidence for the body of the hunchback functioning as an apotropaion.
2015, Lisa Trentin, The Hunchback in Hellenistic and Roman Art, page 521 more example
Walking in nature, we see, identify, name, recognize. This recognition is our apotropaion, that is, our warding off of fear.
1990, Camille Paglia, Sexual PersonaeSynonyms: apotropaic
Synonyms & antonyms
nounSomething that wards off evil; an amulet or magic charm.
Origin
- Ancient Greekἀποτρόπαιον
- Englishapotropaion
Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀποτρόπαιον (apotrópaion).
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
apotropaion. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apotropaion
“apotropaion.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apotropaion. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “apotropaion,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apotropaion.
Source: apotropaion on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.