Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun An object marked with magic signs and believed to confer on its bearer supernatural powers or protection.
- noun Something that apparently has magic power.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A Mohammedan priest.
- noun A supposed charm consisting of a magical figure cut or engraved under certain superstitious observances of the configuration of the heavens; 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.
- noun Figuratively, any means to the attainment of extraordinary results; a charm.
- noun Synonyms See
amulet , and definition of phylactery.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun 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.
- noun Hence, something that produces extraordinary effects, esp. in averting or repelling evil; an amulet; a charm.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
magical object worn forprotection against ill will , or thesupernatural , or toconfer thewearer with aboon such asgood luck , good health, orpower (s).
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The alien talisman is now in the possession of the Gorgon and her evil nuns, and they are preparing to open the portal to their world.
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Known as nazar, the evil eye talisman is particularly common in Turkey.
Archive 2007-12-01 2007
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Known as nazar, the evil eye talisman is particularly common in Turkey.
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So he summoned on it the doctors and astrologers and men skilled in talisman-writing and said to them, Whoso healeth my daughter of what ill she hath, I will marry him to her and give him half of my kingdom; but whoso cometh to her and cureth her not,
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Lovelace has a bit of plastic around his neck, which he insists is a talisman from the mystic beings, and charges individual penguins one pebble for an answer to any question they may have for him.
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In its widest sense, the word talisman is synonymous with amulet.
Primitive Psycho-Therapy and Quackery Robert Means Lawrence
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In the minds of most persons the terms talisman, amulet, and charm are synonymous.
Three Thousand Years of Mental Healing George Barton Cutten
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My talisman is a silver ring that I've had for several years.
Shannon Galpin: Jewelry in a War Zone? Shannon Galpin 2011
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My talisman is a silver ring that I've had for several years.
Shannon Galpin: Jewelry in a War Zone? Shannon Galpin 2011
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My talisman is a silver ring that I've had for several years.
Shannon Galpin: A Talisman for the Women Around the World Shannon Galpin 2011
JoeCool commented on the word talisman
the 1st definition from Century Dictionary & Cyclopedia "A Mohammedan priest." is highly incorrect both politically and factually. Moreover, there are no usage examples provided to support such a statement.
1. there is no such thing as a "Mohammedan"
2. in ISLAM (the PROPER term for the religion referenced) there are no priests, or should Jews be called Mosesans? Likewise, what religion calls itself "Jesusans"?. The correct term would likely be "imam".
July 11, 2011
ruzuzu commented on the word talisman
Thanks! You've given me another one to add to my list of "disturbing definitions" from the Century.
July 11, 2011
rolig commented on the word talisman
JoeCool, chill. The Century Dictionary was published nearly 100 years ago. At the time, "Mohammedan" was the well-established, fully acceptable, politically correct term for someone who followed the teachings of the prophet Mohammed (just as Buddhists follow the teachings of Buddha, and Christians follow the teachings of Christ).
This is another example of Wordnik giving too little pertinent information about the definitions it provides. It would be good to tell us the edition and date of the dictionaries that are cited. Obviously, a definition from a 100-year-old dictionary will have a different value from a definition from a dictionary published in 2010.
Also, as you suggest, usage notes would be helpful. I have no idea why "talisman" is defined as a Muslim cleric, but clearly such usage of the word is obsolete today. Similarly, Century's definition no. 2 is a very narrow, technical usage of the word (in anthropology), while only the 3rd and 4th definitions reflect the way we use the word today in general speech.
July 12, 2011