talisman

[ tal-is-muhn, -iz- ]
See synonyms for: talismantalismanic on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural tal·is·mans.
  1. a stone, ring, or other object, engraved with figures or characters supposed to possess occult powers and worn as an amulet or charm.

  2. any amulet or charm.

  1. anything whose presence exercises a remarkable or powerful influence on human feelings or actions.

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Origin of talisman

1
First recorded in 1630–40; from French talisman, Spanish talismán or other Romance language, from Arabic ṭilasm, from Late Greek télesmon “completion, performance, consecrated object,” from Greek télesma “payment, payment to be made, outlay, expense,” a derivative of teleîn “to complete, perform” + -ma noun suffix of result. The final -n in the western Europen languages is unexplained.

Other words from talisman

  • tal·is·man·ic [tal-is-man-ik, -iz-], /ˌtæl ɪsˈmæn ɪk, -ɪz-/, tal·is·man·i·cal, adjective
  • tal·is·man·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby talisman

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How to use talisman in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for talisman

talisman

/ (ˈtælɪzmən) /


nounplural -mans
  1. a stone or other small object, usually inscribed or carved, believed to protect the wearer from evil influences

  2. anything thought to have magical or protective powers

Origin of talisman

1
C17: via French or Spanish from Arabic tilsam, from Medieval Greek telesma ritual, from Greek: consecration, from telein to perform a rite, complete, from telos end, result

Derived forms of talisman

  • talismanic (ˌtælɪzˈmænɪk), adjective

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