talisman

tal·is·man

noun \ˈta-ləs-mən, -ləz-\

plural tal·is·mans

Definition of TALISMAN

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

Examples of TALISMAN

1. <a pendant of white nephrite jade is often worn by Indians as a talisman to ward off heart disease>

Origin of TALISMAN

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

First Known Use: 1638

Related to TALISMAN

Synonyms: amulet, fetish (also fetich), mascot, mojo, periapt, phylactery, charm

Antonyms: hoodoo, jinx

Related Words: gris-gris (also grigri), juju, philter, toadstone; emblem, symbol, token, totem

Near Antonyms: curse, hex, spell

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Other Occult Terms

augury, censor, invocation, lucidity, metempsychosis, mojo, numinous, preternatural, weird, wraith