- a stone or other small object, usually inscribed or carved, believed to protect the wearer from evil influences
- anything thought to have magical or protective powers
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
tal•is•man /ˈtælɪsmən, -ɪz-/USA pronunciation
n. [countable], pl. -mans.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- an object with designs or figures on it, possessing secret, magical, or supernatural powers, and worn as a charm.
tal•is•man
(tal′is mən, -iz-),USA pronunciation n., pl. -mans.
tal•is•man•ic
(tal′is man′ik, -iz-),USA pronunciation tal′is•man′i•cal, adj.
tal′is•man′i•cal•ly, adv.
- a stone, ring, or other object, engraved with figures or characters supposed to possess occult powers and worn as an amulet or charm.
- any amulet or charm.
- anything whose presence exercises a remarkable or powerful influence on human feelings or actions.
- Greek télesma payment, equivalent. to teles- (variant stem of teleîn to complete, perform) + -ma noun, nominal suffix of result
- French or Spanish
Arabic ṭilasm - 1630–40;
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
talisman /ˈtælɪzmən/ n ( pl -mans)
'talisman' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):