scarab

scarab
    n 1: scarabaeid beetle considered divine by ancient Egyptians
         [syn: {scarab}, {scarabaeus}, {Scarabaeus sacer}]
    

Scarab \Scar"ab\, Scarabee \Scar"a*bee\, n. [L. scarabaeus; cf.
   F. scarab['e]e.]
   1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of lamellicorn beetles
      of the genus {Scarabaeus}, or family {Scarabaeidae},
      especially the sacred, or Egyptian, species ({Scarabaeus
      sacer}, and {Scarabaeus Egyptiorum}).
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Egyptian Archaeology, Jewelry) 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 +PJC]
    

26 Moby Thesaurus words for "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