Talisman : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: Talisman	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for Talisman
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
talisman n a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease Synonym(s): amulet, talisman
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Talisman \Tal"isman\, n.; pl. {Talismans}. [Sp., from Ar. tilism, tilsam, a magical image, pl. tilsam[be]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.