τηλέφιλον

A. love-in-absence, the leaf of some plant used as a charm by lovers to try whether their love was returned; the leaf was laid on the hand or arm and struck smartly, and its adhesion (or a loud crack, or a red colour, acc. to Sch.) was a favourable omen, οὐδὲ τὸ τηλέφιλον ποτεμάξατο τὸ πλατάγημα Theoc. 3.29, cf. Sch. ad loc., Poll. 9.127; τηλεφίλου πλαταγήματος ἠχέτα βόμβος γαστέρα μαντῴου μάξατο κισσυβίου AP 5.295 (Agath.).