Hand of Glory
/ˌhand ə(v) ˈɡlɔːri/Now chiefly historical
noun
Originally: a charm made from or consisting of the root of a mandrake (now rare ). Later: a charm or talisman made from the dried and pickled hand of an executed criminal, used especially (with a specially prepared candle placed within it) to render the occupants of a house motionless during a burglary.
- Various stories and legends exist concerning the preparation and use of the Hand of Glory. A detailed description followed by many later texts is given by Francis Grose in Provinc. Gloss. (1787) 73-5. See also Scott Antiquary (1816) II. ii. 46-7..
Origin
Early 18th century; earliest use found in Le Lorrain de Vallemont's Curiosities in Husbandry and Gardening. From hand + of + glory, after French main de gloire, alteration of mandeglore, mandegloire by folk-etymological association with main hand, de, and gloire.