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.
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
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, adverbWords nearby talisman
talipes planus,
talipes valgus,
talipes varus,
talipomanus,
talipot,
talisman,
talk,
talk about,
talk around,
talk at,
talk back
Example sentences from the Web for talisman
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