phylactery

noun8

1. •
   (Judaism) Either of two small leather cases containing scrolls with passages from the Torah, traditionally worn by a Jewish man (one on the arm (usually the left) and one on the forehead) and now sometimes by a woman at certain morning prayers as a reminder to obey the law as set out in the Bible; a tefilla.

   • All there [the scribes and Pharisees'] workꝭ [workis] they do⸝ for to be sene of men. They sett abroade there philateris⸝ and make large borders on there garmenttꝭ [garmenttis]⸝ […] — 1526
2. •
   (disapproving, figurative) A profession of faith, or religious or traditional observance; also, a reminder.

   • To thoughtful Observators the vvhole VVorld is a Phylactery, and every thing vve see an Item of the VVisdom, Povver, or Goodness of God. — 1716
3. •
   (historical) A scroll with words on it depicted as emerging from a person's mouth or held in their hands, indicating what they are singing or speaking; a banderole, a speech scroll.

   • [T]o bear on their faces, as plainly as on a phylactery, the inscription, "Do, pray, look at the coronet on my panels;" […] — 1872
4. •
   (figurative) A list or record.

   • Here is the phylactery of his [John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford's] vices—wily, wary, cold, calculating, indirect, faithless. In act, treacherous and cruel. — 1863
5. •
   An enchanted object used (for example, by a lich) to contain and protect the owner's soul.
6. •
   (historical) Synonym of reliquary (“a container to display or hold religious relics”).

   • Reliquary phylacteries could serve as suspension capsules or containers for holy relics. — 2006
7. •
   (no longer used) Synonym of amulet (“a protective charm or ornament”).
8. •
   (Judaism, no longer used) A fringe which an Israelite was required to wear as a reminder to obey the law as set out in the Bible; (by extension) any fringe or border.

   • [S]uddenly now, / Full-statured, with uplifted head she walks, / And drops her loosed phylacteries in the dust. — 1878