talisman

noun

tal·​is·​man ˈta-ləs-mən 

-ləz-

plural talismans

1

: an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune

2

: something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects

talismanic

ˌta-ləs-ˈma-nik 

-ləz-

adjective

talismanically

ˌta-ləs-ˈma-ni-k(ə-)lē 

-ləz-

adverb

Did you know?

The English language may have borrowed talisman from French, Spanish, or Italian; all three include similar-looking words for a lucky charm that derive from an Arabic word for a charm, ṭilsam. Ṭilsam traces to ancient Greek telein, which means "to initiate into the mysteries."

Synonyms

• amulet
• charm
• fetish
• fetich
• mascot
• mojo
• periapt
• phylactery

Examples of talisman in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Captain James Rodríguez, who has long been a talisman for the Cafeteros, was instrumental in the victory over the reigning World Cup and Copa América champion, providing the cross for Yerson Mosquera’s close-range header and converting a second-half penalty. —George Ramsay, CNN, 11 Sep. 2024

The house, stuffed with bad taxidermy and ominous talismans, would be unwelcoming even without the jarring noises and phantom presences coming from behind that cellar door, which Peig herself believes to be a dangerous spiritual threshold. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Aug. 2024

This was only Serbia’s second medal of the Games, and the country’s sporting talisman had achieved it without dropping a set in the competition. —George Ramsay, CNN, 4 Aug. 2024

Democrats may have finally found their magical talisman: One word (with apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien) to rule them all, one word to find them, one word to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. —Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2024

Word History

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

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

talisman

noun

tal·​is·​man ˈtal-ə-smən 

-əz-mən

plural talismans

: a ring or stone carved with symbols and believed to have magical powers : charm