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View synonyms for talisman

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • talismanic adjective
  • talismanical adjective
  • talismanically adverb
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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.
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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
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Compare Meanings

How does talisman compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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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