evil eye

== English == === 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”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌiːvl̩‿ˈaɪ/, /ˌiːvɪl-/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˌiv(ə)l̩‿ˈaɪ/ Rhymes: -aɪ === Noun === evil eye (plural evil eyes) 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. Synonyms: bad eye, evils (slang), evil look, the eye, malocchio Hypernyms: look, stare The charm used to ward off the evil eye; a nazar. (often humorous) A look conveying disapproval, envy, hostility, etc. Synonyms: bad eye, stink eye; see others there Hypernyms: look, stare Near-synonym: side-eye ==== Usage notes ==== Often used in the form “to give [someone] the evil eye”. ==== Derived terms ==== evil-eye (verb) evil-eyed (adjective) evils (slang) ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== === References === === Further reading === evil eye on Wikipedia.Wikipedia “evil eye, n.” under “evil, adj. and n.1”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, March 2023.