scarab

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: scar=ab

CIDE DICTIONARY

scarab, n. [L. scarabaeus; cf. F. scarabée.].

•  Any one of numerous species of lamellicorn beetles of the genus Scarabæus, or family Scarabæidæ, especially the sacred, or Egyptian, species (Scarabæus sacer, and Scarabæus Egyptiorum).  [1913 Webster]
•  A stylized representation of a scarab beetle carved in stone or faience, or made in baked clay, usually in a conventionalized form in which the beetle has its legs held closely at its sides, and commonly having an inscription on the flat underside; -- a symbol of resurrection, used by the ancient Egyptians as an ornament or a talisman, and in modern times used in jewelry, usually by engraving the formalized scarab design on cabuchon stones. Also used attributively; as, a scarab bracelet [a bracelet containing scarabs]; a ring with a scarab [the carved stone itelf].  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

scarab, n.
1 a the sacred dung-beetle of ancient Egypt. b = SCARABAEID.
2 an ancient Egyptian gem cut in the form of a beetle and engraved with symbols on its flat side, used as a signet etc.

Etymology

L scarabaeus f. Gk skarabeios

THESAURUS

scarab

amulet, charm, fetish, fylfot, gammadion, good-luck charm, hoodoo, juju, love charm, lucky bean, lucky piece, madstone, mascot, mumbo jumbo, obeah, periapt, philter, phylactery, scarabaeus, scarabee, sudarium, swastika, talisman, veronica, voodoo, whammy

ROGET THESAURUS

scarab

Spell

N spell, charm, incantation, exorcism, weird, cabala, exsufflation, cantrap, runes, abracadabra, open sesame, countercharm, Ephesian letters, bell book and candle, Mumbo Jumbo, evil eye, fee-faw- fum, talisman, amulet, periapt, telesm, phylactery, philter, fetich, fetish, agnus Dei, lamb of God, furcula, madstone, mascot, mascotte, merrythought, Om, Aum, scarab, scarabaeus, sudarium, triskelion, veronica, wishbone, swastika, fylfot, gammadion, wand, caduceus, rod, divining rod, lamp of Aladdin, wishing-cap, Fortunatus's cap.