See Also: talisman(medicine)
talisman(dictionary)
talisman(dictionary)
Talisman Energy(finance)

talisman (iou)



talisman noun. Pl. -mans, -men. M17.
[French or Spanish (= Italian talismano), app. from medieval Greek telesmon alt. of late Greek telesma completion, performance, religious rite, consecrated object, from telein complete, perform (a rite), consecrate, from telos result, end.]
An object supposed to have occult or magic powers, esp. an inscribed stone or ring worn as an amulet to avert evil or bring good luck, health, etc. M17.
A. Burl A time of personal magic, everyone carrying talismen and charms.
fig. A thing that acts as a charm or achieves remarkable results. L18.
A. Lurie Garments..advertised..as 'good investments', talismans that will give their wearer 'a sense of security'. Vanity Fair Ray..strokes the Dalmatian's glistening coat as though it were a talisman of..perpetual youth.
talis'manic adjective of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a talisman L17.
talis'manical adjective (now rare) = talismanic M17.
talis'manically adverb (rare) M19.