fylfot

Definition

A swastika, especially one with the arms bent in an anticlockwise direction.

Etymology

Uncertain, but likely from Middle English fillen (“to fill”) (from Old English fyllan) + fot (“foot”) (from Old English fōt), in reference to its use as a design to be placed at the bottom of stained-glass windows.

Example Sentences

• "Morley: A year and a half ago I stumbled into your gingerbread office, a lost, frightened soul in terrified flight across the great yawning terror of doubt—a human being, in short!—and you chanted some hagridden formulas and danged some fylfots..."
• "There was a coffee tray on top of it, and spilt coffee part hid the fylfot design of the tray."