talisman
[ tal-is-muhn, -iz- ]
/ ˈtæl ɪs mən, -ɪz- /
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noun, plural tal·is·mans.
a stone, ring, or other object, engraved with figures or characters supposed to possess occult powers and worn as an amulet or charm.
any amulet or charm.
anything whose presence exercises a remarkable or powerful influence on human feelings or actions.
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Origin of talisman
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, adjectivetal·is·man·i·cal·ly, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use talisman in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for talisman
talisman
/ (ˈtælɪzmən) /
noun plural -mans
a stone or other small object, usually inscribed or carved, believed to protect the wearer from evil influences
anything thought to have magical or protective powers
Derived forms of talisman
talismanic (ˌtælɪzˈmænɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for talisman
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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