[= 17th c. F., Sp., Pg. talisman, It. talismano, ultimately representing Arab. ṭilsam, in same sense, ad. Gr. τέλεσμα TELESM. The final -an is not accounted for.
An Arabic pl. ṭilsimān, alleged by Diez s.v., and thence in various recent dictionaries, is an error: no such form exists in Arabic, Persian, or Turkish. The only Arabic form at all similar would be a relative adj. *ṭilsimānī (one) dealing with talismans, if this were in use. The identity of talisman with τέλεσμα was first pointed out by Salmasius, Hist. Augusta, 1620.]
1. A stone, ring, or other object engraven with figures or characters, to which are attributed the occult powers of the planetary influences and celestial configurations under which it was made; usually worn as an amulet to avert evil from or bring fortune to the wearer; also medicinally used to impart healing virtue; hence, any object held to be endowed with magic virtue; a charm.
In quot. 1638 applied to the telesms or consecrated statues set up in Egypt, and later in Greece, to protect the city or community: see TELESM. Among Moslem nations, the potent principle is held to be contained in verses from the Koran engraved on the charm.
1638. Junius, Paint. Ancients, 137. The inaugurated statues, which now adays by them that are curious of such things are called Talisman.
1652. Gaule, Magastrom., 41. To serve as a Talisman; as their Astrologers think, to aucupate the favour of Venus and the Moon against the influences of Scorpio and Mars.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Talismans, images, or figures made under certain constellations.
1663. Butler, Hud., I. I. 530. For mystic learning, wondrous able In magic, talisman, and cabal.
1682. Wheler, Journ. Greece, III. 270. This Inscription is a kind of Talisman, or Charm.
1798. Loves of Triangles, I. 84, in Anti-Jacobin, 23 April. Each scribbled Talisman, and smoky spell.
1825. Scott, Talism., xviii. Know, then, that the medicine … is a talisman, composed under certain aspects of the heavens.
1875. Stubbs, Const. Hist., II. xiv. 45. He had stolen from Henry … a Talisman, which rendered its wearer invulnerable.
2. fig. Anything that acts as a charm, or by which extraordinary results are achieved.
1784. Cowper, Task, VI. 98. Books are not seldom talismans and spells By which the magic art of shrewder wits Holds an unthinking multitude enthralled.
1834. Pringle, Afr. Sk., xiv. 479. Let us subdue savage Africa by Justice, by Kindness, by the talisman of Christian Truth.
1849. Melville, Redburn, xviii. 115. The book [Smith’s Wealth of Nations], where I fancied lay something like the philosopher’s stone, a secret talisman, which would transmute even pitch and tar to silver and gold.
1908. H. A. L. Fisher, Bonapartism, vi. 123. Bonapartism can never again stand as the … talisman of victory.
† 3. Applied to a person: see quot. Obs.
1646. J. Gregory, Notes & Obs. (1650), 38. One Debborius a Talisman (τελεστὴς) to prevent the falling of the city in case an earthquake should happen againe, set up this pillar and upon that a marble Pectorall inscribed ΑΣΕΙΣΤΑ ΑΠΤΩΤΑ. Ibid., 41. Moses the Talisman (so they would account him) sat it up upon a pole in the wildernesse.
† 4. (? Cf. tailasān in note to prec.) Obs.
1678. Butler, Hud., III. II. 1555. On whom, in Equipage and State, His Scarecrow Fellow-Members wait,… Each in a tatter’d Talismane, Like Vermine in Effigie slain.
