Main Entry: tal·is·man

Pronunciation: \ˈta-ləs-mən, -ləz-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural tal·is·mans

Etymology: French talisman or Spanish talismán or Italian talismano; all from Arabic ṭilsam, from Middle Greek telesma, from Greek, consecration, from telein to initiate into the mysteries, complete, from telos end — more at telos

Date: 1638

1 : an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune
2 : something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects

— tal·is·man·ic \ˌta-ləs-ˈma-nik, -ləz-\ adjective

— tal·is·man·i·cal·ly \-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb