Related Searches
on Ask.com
Talisman - 5 dictionary results
tal⋅is⋅man
[tal-is-muh
n, -iz-] 
–noun, plural -mans.
| 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. |
Origin:
1630–40; < F or Sp ≪ Ar ṭilasm < Gk télesma payment, equiv. to teles- (var. s. of teleîn to complete, perform) + -ma n. suffix of result
1630–40; < F or Sp ≪ Ar ṭilasm < Gk télesma payment, equiv. to teles- (var. s. of teleîn to complete, perform) + -ma n. suffix of result
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : Talisman
| Spanish: | talismán, | German: | der Talisman, | Japanese: | お守り |
| tal·is·man
(tāl'ĭs-mən, -ĭz-) Pronunciation Key
n. pl. tal·is·mans
[French talisman or Spanish talismán or Italian talismano, all from Arabic ṭilasm, from Late Greek telesma, from Greek, consecration ceremony, from telein, to consecrate, fulfill, from telos, result; see kwel-1 in Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
talisman
1638, from Fr. talisman, in part via Arabic tilsam (pl. tilsaman), a Gk. loan-word; in part directly from Byzantine Gk. telesma "talisman, religious rite, payment," earlier "consecration, ceremony," originally "completion," from telein "perform (religious rites), pay (tax), fulfill," from telos "completion, end, tax" (see tele-).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
| talisman | |
noun | |
| a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease [syn: amulet] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Talisman
Tal"is*man\, n.; pl. Talismans. [Sp., from Ar. tilism, tilsam, a magical image, pl. tilsam[=a]n, fr. Gr. ? tribute, tax, LGr., an initiation, incantation, from ? to complete, perform, to play taxes, to make perfect, to initiate, especially in the mysteries, fr. ? completion, end.]1. A magical figure cut or engraved under certain superstitious observances of the configuration of the heavens, to which wonderful effects are ascribed; the seal, figure, character, or image, of a heavenly sign, constellation, or planet, engraved on a sympathetic stone, or on a metal corresponding to the star, in order to receive its influence. 2. Hence, something that produces extraordinary effects, esp. in averting or repelling evil; an amulet; a charm; as, a talisman to avert diseases. --Swift.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Share :
Copyright © 2008, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
