Thursday word: periapt

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

periapt (PER-ee-apt) - n., a charm esp. worn around the neck, an amulet.


I thought it had something to do with church architecture, but no. Not the most common word ever, but it does appear in multiple collegiate dictionaries, so not super-rare either. Borrowed in 1584 from Middle French periapte, from Greek períapton, amulet, from períaptein, to fasten around (oneself), from perí-, around + haptein, to fasten.

Almost instantly I discovered that my uncle's periapt was missing.

(Yes, that's a real quote, from one "Adventure of the Purloined Periapt". I have not attempted reading it.)

---L.

Comments

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

............ I think I want to read it {eg}

[med_cat]

Hehe, an interesting word, thanks!