[tal.is.man] n, pl -mans [F talisman or Sp talisman or It talismano; all fr. Ar tilsam, fr. MGk telesma, fr. Gk, consecration, fr. telein to initiate into the mysteries, complete, fr. telos end--more at telos] (1638) 1: an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune
2: something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects -- tal.is.man.ic adj -- tal.is.man.i.cal.ly adv