talisman

Etymology

From French talisman, partly from Arabic طِلَسْم‎ (ṭilasm), from Ancient Greek τέλεσμα (télesma, “payment”); and partly directly from Byzantine Greek τέλεσμα (télesma, “talisman, religious rite, completion”), from τελέω (teléō, “to perform religious rites, to complete”), from τέλος (télos, “end, fulfillment, accomplishment, consummation, completion”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtæl.ɪsˌmæn/, /ˈtæl.ɪz.mən/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

talisman (plural talismans)

1. A magical object providing protection against ill will, or the supernatural, or conferring the wearer with a boon such as good luck, good health, or power(s).
   • 1997 — John Peel, War of the Daleks, ch. 10 p. 233

     She kept low, clutching the rifle she'd taken as though it were a magic talisman, as if it would somehow protect her even though she didn't fire it.

   • 1956, Delano Ames, chapter 17, in Crime out of Mind‎:

     Dagobert gave him back his passport. He re-pocketed it indifferently; a talisman which had lost its potency.

   • 1916 — Frank Baum, Rinkitink in Oz, ch. 1

     I have in my possession three Magic Talismans, which I have ever guarded with utmost care, keeping the knowledge of their existence from anyone else.

   • 2018 January 1, Donald McRae, “The Guardian footballer of the year 2017: Juan Mata”, in the Guardian‎:

     Mata would soon whip in the cross that allowed Drogba to equalise – and Chelsea went on to win the Champions League, beating the German club on penalties, with their talisman from the Ivory Coast making history with the final spot-kick.

Gallery

• 
  An amulet from the Black Pullet grimoire.
• 
  Ancient Egyptian ibis-headed Thoth amulet, New Kingdom, Dynasty XVIII, c. 1539-1292 BC.
• 
  Drawing of clay amulet unearthed near Tartaria, Romania.
• 
  An omamori, or o-mamori (お守り), a Japanese amulet
• 
  A crucifix, considered in Christian tradition as a defense against demons.
• 
  A Nasrani (Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala) gold Thaali, also known as minnu or mangalasutra elsewhere in India, sign of conjugal union worn around neck of the bride

Anagrams

• natalism, staminal

Etymology

From Arabic طِلَسْم‎ (ṭilasm), from Greek τέλεσμα (télesma).

Noun

talisman c (singular definite talismanen, plural indefinite talismaner)

1. talisman

See also

• amulet
• fetich

References

• “talisman” in Den Danske Ordbog

Noun

talisman m (plural talismans)

1. talisman

Synonyms

• amulette

Hyponyms

• grigri

Further reading

• “talisman” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Etymology

From French talisman or Spanish talismán.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /talǐsmaːn/
• Hyphenation: ta‧lis‧man

Noun

talìsmān m (Cyrillic spelling талѝсма̄н)

1. talisman

References

• “talisman” in Hrvatski jezični portal