From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Talisman \Tal"is*man\, noun; pl. {Talismans}. [Sp., from Ar. tilism, tilsam, a magical image, pl. tilsam[=a]n, fr. Gr. ? tribute, tax, LGr., an initiation, incantation, from ? to complete, perform, to play taxes, to make perfect, to initiate, especially in the mysteries, fr. ? completion, end.]
1. A magical figure cut or engraved under certain superstitious observances of the configuration of the heavens, to which wonderful effects are ascribed; the seal, figure, character, or image, of a heavenly sign, constellation, or planet, engraved on a sympathetic stone, or on a metal corresponding to the star, in order to receive its influence.
2. Hence, something that produces extraordinary effects, esp. in averting or repelling evil; an amulet; a charm; as, a talisman to avert diseases. --Swift.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
noun
1: a trinket or piece of jewelry thought to be a protection against evil [syn: {amulet}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
28 Moby Thesaurus words for "talisman": amulet, charm, fetish, fylfot, gammadion, good-luck charm, hoodoo, juju, love charm, luck, lucky bean, lucky piece, madstone, mascot, mumbo jumbo, obeah, periapt, philter, phylactery, scarab, scarabaeus, scarabee, sudarium, swastika, veronica, voodoo, whammy, wishbone
From Virtual Entity of Relevant Acronyms (Version 1.9, June 2002) [vera]:
TALISMAN Tracing Authors' rights by Labelling Image Services and Monitoring Access Network [project] (Europe)
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