evil eye
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /ˌiːvl̩‿ˈaɪ/
ipa: /ˌiːvɪl-/
ipa: /ˌiv(ə)l̩‿ˈaɪ/
rhymes: -aɪ
Forms: form: evil eyes
Etymology: From Middle English ivel eie (“evil eye; envy”), from Old English eage yfel, a calque of Latin oculus malus, from oculus (“eye”) + malus (“bad, evil, wicked; destructive, hurtful, injurious; unfavourable, unlucky”).
Senses: examples: text: Each of the young men, in saluting the new-comer, made mechanically, and with care to conceal it from him, a slight gesture or sign with their fingers; for Arbaces, the Egyptian, was supposed to possess the fatal gift of the evil eye.
ref: 1834, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], “The Blind Flower-girl, and the Beauty of Fashion.—The Athenian’s Confession.—The Reader’s Introduction to Arbaces of Egypt.”, in The Last Days of Pompeii. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […]; successor to Henry Colburn, →OCLC, book I, page 25:
text: The ὀφθαλμὸς βάσκανος, or evil eye, is frequently mentioned by ancient writers. […] Various amulets were used to avert the influence of the evil eye. The most common of these appears to have been the phallus, called by the Romans fascinum, which was hung round the necks of children (turpicula res).
ref: 1842, Charles Anthon, “FA′SCINUM”, in William Smith, editor, A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities […], 3rd American edition, New York, N.Y.; Cincinnati, Oh.: American Book Company, published 1843, →OCLC, pages 431–432, column 1:
text: A common dread was the evil eye, and the chief charm against it was in the form of a knotted cord woven by a "wise woman".
ref: 1936, Rollo Ahmed, “The Ancient Magic of the East”, in The Black Art, London: Senate, Studio Editions, published 1994, →ISBN, page 26:
synonyms: word: bad eye
word: evils
word: evil look
word: the eye
glosses: A wicked look conveying dislike or envy that in many cultures is believed to be able to cause bad luck or injury; also, the ability to cause bad luck or injury through such a look, supposed to be possessed by some people.
examples: text: Isma laughed, but Hira drew her shoulders in tighter, reached out to touch the evil eye that hung on her wall and which Isma had always assumed to be merely decorative.
ref: 2017, Kamila Shamsie, Home Fire, Bloomsbury (2018), page 11:
glosses: The charm used to ward off the evil eye; a nazar.
examples: text: For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed euill thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, / Thefts, couetouſneſſe, wickedneſſe, deceit, laſciuiouſneſſe, an euill eye, blaſphemie, pride, fooliſhneſſe: / All theſe euill things come from within, and defile the man.
ref: 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Mark 7:21–23, column 1:
text: [A] Noble Venetian, vvho is ſtill a Merchant, told me, they vvill ſpeedily find out ſome Method to redreſs it; probably by making a free Port, for they look vvith an Evil Eye upon Leghorne, that dravvs to it moſt of the Veſſels bound for Italy.
ref: 1705, J[oseph] Addison, “Venice”, in Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c. in the Years 1701, 1702, 1703, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 84:
text: If you tell me, "Good morning" / I'm gonna tell you, "That's a lie" / If you say I'm old, baby / I'm gonna give you the evil eye
ref: 1964 February 18, Lionel Hampton, Leonard Feather, “Evil Gal Blues”, in Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington, performed by Aretha Franklin, New York, N.Y.: Columbia Records, →OCLC:
synonyms: word: bad eye
word: black look
word: death glare
word: death stare
word: dirty look
word: evils
word: shit eye
word: side eye
word: stank eye
word: stink eye
glosses: A look conveying disapproval, envy, hostility, etc.
Derived terms: word: evil-eye
word: evil-eyed
word: evils
Related terms: hairy eyeball
Hand of Fatima
Hand of Miriam
if looks could kill
look daggers