φυλακτήριον

φυλακτήριον, -ου, τό

1. an outpost, fortification (Thuc., al.).

2. a safeguard (Plat.).

3. an amulet (Plut., al.); in NT for the Talmudic תְּפִלִּין, a prayer fillet, a phylactery, a small strip of parchment on which portions of the law were written and worn on the forehead and next the heart (cf. Exo.13:16): Mat.23:5.†

(AS)