Webster's English Dictionary

Enter the word to look up:

talisman

Cross references:
  1. fetish                
 
tal.is.man \'tal-*-sm*n, -*z-m*n\ \.tal-*-'sman-ik, -*z-'man-\ 
   \-i-k(*-)le-\ n [F talisman or Sp talisma`n or It talismano, fr. Ar 
   t'Qsub-dot>ilsam, fr. MGk telesma, fr. Gk, consecration, fr. telein to 
   initiate into the mysteries, complete, fr. telos end - more at WHEEL 1: an 
   object bearing a sign or character engraved under astrological influe nces 
   and thought to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune 2: 
   something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects  - 
   tal.is.man.ic aj