While it may be an uncommon word, you’re likely familiar with apotropaic practices such as knocking on wood, tossing salt over your shoulder, carrying a lucky coin, or wearing special socks for good luck. “Apotropaic” is an adjective that describes something intended to ward off evil, or more positively, to bring good luck. It comes from the Greek “apotrópaios,” meaning “averting evil, that should be averted, ill-omened.”