Daily Almanac for
Nov 12, 2009
Search White Pages
Search: Infoplease Info search tips
Search: Biographies Bio search tips

Evil Eye

It was anciently believed that the eyes of some persons darted noxious rays on objects which they glared upon. The first morning glance of such eyes was certain destruction to man or beast, but the destruction was not unfrequently the result of emaciation. Virgil speaks of an evil eye making cattle lean. (See Mascotte, Jettator.)

“Nescio quis teneros oculus mihi fascinat agnos.” Ecl. iii. 103.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

More on Evil Eye from Infoplease:

    • Cite
    • Print
    • Bookmark

Related Content