tefila

Noun

tefilla (countable and uncountable, plural tefillin or tefillos or tefillot or tefilloth)

1. (Judaism, countable, in plural, often) Synonym of phylactery (“either of two small leather cases containing scrolls with passages from the Torah, traditionally worn by a Jewish man (one on the arm (usually the left) and one on the forehead) and now sometimes by a woman at certain morning prayers as a reminder to obey the law as set out in the Bible”).

   Synonyms:

   phylactery

2. (Judaism, uncountable) Intercession, prayer; (countable) a prayer.
   • Chazal have said that the Ovos were childless, to induce them to daven for children, because Hashem longs for their tefilos.2000 August 31, rach...@netmedia.net.il, “MIDEI SHABBOS by Rabbi Eliezer Chrysler - Shoftim”, in alt.religion.judaism.orthodox (Usenet)