'Phylacteries' definitions:

Definition of 'Phylacteries'

From: GCIDE

Phylactery \Phy*lac"ter*y\, n.; pl. Phylacteries. [OE. filateri, OF. filatire, filatiere, F. phylact[`e]re, L. phylacterium, Gr. fylakth`rion, fr. fylakth`r a watcher, guard, fyla`ssein to watch, guard. Cf. Philatory.]
1. Any charm or amulet worn as a preservative from danger or disease. [1913 Webster]
2. A small square box, made either of parchment or of black calfskin, containing slips of parchment or vellum on which are written the scriptural passages Exodus xiii. 2-10, and 11-17, Deut. vi. 4-9, 13-22. They are worn by Jews on the head and left arm, on week-day mornings, during the time of prayer. --Schaff-Herzog Encyc. [1913 Webster]
3. Among the primitive Christians, a case in which the relics of the dead were inclosed. [1913 Webster]

Phylacteries (Gr. phulakteria; i.e., "defences" or "protections"), called by modern Jews tephillin (i.e., "prayers") are mentioned only in Matt. 23:5. They consisted of strips of parchment on which were inscribed these four texts:
Ex. 13:1-10;
11-16;
Deut. 6:4-9;
11:18-21, and which were enclosed in a square leather case, on one side of which was inscribed the Hebrew letter shin, to which the rabbis attached some significance. This case was fastened by certain straps to the forehead just between the eyes. The "making broad the phylacteries" refers to the enlarging of the case so as to make it conspicuous. (See FRONTLETS.)
Another form of the phylactery consisted of two rolls of parchment, on which the same texts were written, enclosed in a case of black calfskin. This was worn on the left arm near the elbow, to which it was bound by a thong. It was called the "Tephillah on the arm."

Phylacteries, things to be especially observed