talisman

[tal-is-muhn, -iz-]

noun

plural

talismans 

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.

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

talisman

/ ˈtælɪzmən, ˌtælɪzˈmænɪk /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• talismanic adjective
• talismanical adjective
• talismanically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of talisman¹

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of talisman¹

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

Example Sentences

In Gloucestershire, Alice's mother Rachael is turning preserved funeral blooms into wreaths for friends and family - a small talisman to mark the one-year anniversary.

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Kane is England's goalscoring talisman - but there are still those who question whether he could have done more, asking whether his international record has been aided by qualifiers against inferior opposition.

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Robins talisman Lewis has gone from strength to strength in recent seasons but, much like his team, this feels like the moment in his career where he truly came alive.

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European talisman Rory McIlroy was the prime target from the American galleries, while his wife Erica was hit by a drinks cup flung from one of the stands.

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The European talisman, who had earlier responded to abuse on the first tee by blowing kisses towards the spectators, backed off from his shot and said: "Guys, shut the **** up."

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