المعنى الاصطلاحي :

Anything recited or hung upon someone or something with the intention of warding off harm or removing it.

الشرح المختصر :

"Ta‘wīdhah" (charm) is anything recited, hung, or tied to a human, an animal, or even an inanimate object, with the intention of warding off evil before it occurs, or curing from evil after it occurs. It is also called "‘azīmah", "tahwītah", "hijāb", and other names. "Ta‘wīdhah" has two categories: 1. Permissible "Ta‘wīdhah": It is reciting something from the Qur"an, words of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, such as supplications or "adhkār" (words of remembrance), "ruqyahs" (incantations) that were reported from the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, or from the Arabs that entail no violation of the Shariah rules, or bathing by using some water that touched the body of the one with the evil eye, or drinking such water. Conditions of permissible "Ta‘wīdhah": a. It should be with the word of Allah, or with His names or attributes. b. It should be in Arabic language, or in a clear and understood language. c. That it is not effective by itself but by Allah's permission. 2. Impermissible "Ta‘wīdhah": It is reciting words of disbelief, or incomprehensible words, names, or gestures like the talismans of the Jews, those who worship the stars and the angels, and those who use the jinn and the like, whether they consist of words that are recited, or beads, strings, or iron that are hung, etc.

التعريف اللغوي المختصر :

"Ta‘weedhah": anything that one seeks refuge in. It is derived from "‘awdh", which means protection, preservation, defense. Other meanings: anything that is believed to protect one from evil.