Adjacent Words

Talisman definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

TAL'ISMAN, n.
1. A magical figure cut or engraved under certain superstitious observances of the configuration of the heavens, to which wonderful effects are ascribed; or it is the seal, figure, character or image of a heavenly sign, constellation or planet, engraven on a sympathetic stone, or on a metal corresponding to the star, in order to receive its influence. The talismans of the Samothracians were pieces of iron, formed into images and set in rings, etc. They were held to be preservatives against all kinds of evils.
Talismans are of three kinds, astronomical, magical and mixed. Hence,
2. Something that produces extraordinary effects; as a talisman to destroy diseases.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease [syn: amulet, talisman]

Merriam Webster's

noun (plural -mans) Etymology: French talisman or Spanish talismán or Italian talismano; all from Arabic ?ilsam, 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 • talismanic adjective • talismanically adverb

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. (pl. talismans) 1 an object, esp. an inscribed ring or stone, supposed to be endowed with magic powers esp. of averting evil from or bringing good luck to its holder. 2 a charm or amulet; a thing supposed capable of working wonders. Derivatives: talismanic adj. Etymology: F & Sp., = It. talismano, f. med.Gk telesmon, Gk telesma completion, religious rite f. teleo complete f. telos end

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

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.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(talismans) A talisman is an object which you believe has magic powers to protect you or bring you luck. = charm N-COUNT

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Charm, amulet, phylactery.

Moby Thesaurus

amulet, charm, fetish, fylfot, gammadion, good-luck charm, hoodoo, juju, love charm, luck, lucky bean, lucky piece, madstone, mascot, mumbo jumbo, obeah, periapt, philter, phylactery, scarab, scarabaeus, scarabee, sudarium, swastika, veronica, voodoo, whammy, wishbone