amulet

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. An object worn, especially around the neck, as a charm against evil or injury.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. Some object superstitiously worn as a remedy for or preservative against disease, bad luck, accidents, witchcraft, etc. Amulets have been used from ancient times, and are still worn in many parts of the world. They consist of certain stones, or plants, or of bits of metal, parchment, or paper, with or without mystic characters or words. The gospels and saints' relics have been used in this way. The Mohammedans use diminutive copies of the Koran hung around the neck. From the heathen and the Jews the custom passed into the primitive Christian church, where it was long maintained in spite of the decrees of ecclesiastical councils and the protests of the more intelligent clergy. Amulets of various forms have been found in the catacombs, many of them inscribed with the word ichthys, fish, because this represented the initials of the Greek words for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour. (See ichthys.) They were suspended from the neck or affixed to some part of the body. See phylactery, 3. Synonyms Amulet, Talisman. An amulet is supposed to exert a constant protecting power, warding off evil; a talisman, to produce under special conditions desired results for the owner.

Wiktionary

1. n. A charm or ornament worn for protection against evil.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. An ornament, gem, or scroll, or a package containing a relic, etc., worn as a charm or preservative against evils or mischief, such as diseases and witchcraft, and generally inscribed with mystic forms or characters. [Also used figuratively.]

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease