talisman
[ tal-is-muh n, -iz- ]
/ ˈtæl ɪs mən, -ɪz- /
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.
RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
talipes planus, talipes valgus, talipes varus, talipomanus, talipot, talisman, talk, talk about, talk around, talk at, talk back
Origin of talisman
1630–40; < French or Spanish ≪ Arabic ṭilasm < Greek télesma payment, equivalent to teles- (variant stem of teleîn to complete, perform) + -ma noun suffix of result
Related forms
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. 2019
Examples from the Web for talismanic
British Dictionary definitions for talismanic
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
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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