phylactery, tefillin
(noun) (Judaism) either of two small leather cases containing texts from the Hebrew Scriptures (known collectively as tefillin); traditionally worn (on the forehead and the left arm) by Jewish men during morning prayer
Source: WordNet® 3.1
phylactery (plural phylacteries)
(Judaism) Either of the two small leather cases, containing biblical scrolls, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer; the tefilla.
(historical) A case in which (Christian) relics were preserved.
Any small object worn for its magical or supernatural power; an amulet or charm.
(fantasy, mythology, role-playing games) An enspelled object used (by such as a lich) to contain and protect the owner's soul.
(art, historical) A speech scroll, an illustrative device depicting speech, song or other sound as if written on a scroll.
• (small leather case): tefilla
• (speech scroll): banderole, speech scroll
Source: Wiktionary
Phy*lac"ter*y, n.; pl. Phylacteries. Etym: [OE. filateri, OF. filatire, filatiere, F. phylactère, L. phylacterium, Gr. Philatory.]
1. Any charm or amulet worn as a preservative from danger or disease.
2. A small square box, made either of parchment or of black calfskin, containing slips of parchment or vellum on which are written the scriptural passages Exodus xiii. 2-10, and 11-17, Deut. vi. 4-9, 13- 22. They are worn by Jews on the head and left arm, on week-day mornings, during the time of prayer. Schaff-Herzog Encyc.
3. Among the primitive Christians, a case in which the relics of the dead were inclosed.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
10 June 2025
(noun) the discipline that studies the principles of transmiting information and the methods by which it is delivered (as print or radio or television etc.); “communications is his major field of study”
The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.
