talisman

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ta.lis.mɑ̃/^[1]

Forms

talisman m (plural talismans)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Arabic طلسم (ṭilasm, “talisman, charm”),^[2][3][4][5] which the TLFi has pass through Persian;^[6][7] the vowels were transposed, and the ending “-an” is explained by the Arabic dual طلسمان (ṭilasmān),^[2][3][8][9] or, according to Corominas, by confusion with the homonym “talisman”, a Muslim cleric.^[6] The Arabic word was taken from late Ancient Greek τέλεσμα (télesma, “payment; religious rite”), in Byzantine Greek “consecrated object, talisman”,^[6][2][1] from τελέω (teléō, “to complete, perform”), from τέλος (télos, “end, fulfilment”).^[2]

From the same Arabic dual come Spanish talismán and Italian talismano.^[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Joseph Scaliger wrote in a letter of 1592 that “the Arabs call them talisman”, of objects credited with magic powers.^[6][2][5]

Semantic evolution

A different talisman, “Muslim teacher of the law, imam” (1546), came through Turkish from a Persian word for “learned man” and has died out;^[2][3][10] d'Aubigné still writes of “talismans et prestres”.^[11] From 1713 (Hamilton), talisman is also used figuratively of anything with a sovereign, seemingly magic effect, as beauty for a woman who thinks nothing can resist it.^[6][2][8]

Timeline

• 1546 – Talisman “Muslim cleric”.^[2][3]
• 1592 – The magic object (Scaliger).^[6][5]
• 1629 – Gaffarel's use, the first date in the Grand Robert and the GLLF.^[4][8]
• 1713 – Figurative sense (Hamilton).^[6][8]

Meanings

Noun

1. A talisman, an object bearing signs and believed to give magic protection or power; an amulet.^[5][6]
2. (figurative) Something that seems to have a magic, irresistible effect.^[5][8]

Related words

• English talisman

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ a b c d e Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
4. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d e f g h Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
7. ^ Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
8. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
9. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 19, 187b
10. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 19, 39a
11. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette