Where does the word “Talisman” come from and What does Talisman mean in Arabic?

Photo of author

Karen Hill

Completely unrelated to talesman (which see), despite all similarities of spelling, the word “talisman” comes to us through the Romance languages from the Arabic tilsam, “a magic charm.”

The earlier derivation is from the Greek telesma of the same meaning, but having had the former meaning of “a religious rite,” and coming from telein, to “fulfill,” from telos, “end.”

Related Posts

  1. How Did the Arabic Loanwords Algebra, Sofa, Sash, and Sequin Originate From Arabic Languages?
  2. What does elixir mean in Arabic and Where does the word “elixir” come from?
  3. Where does the word “macabre” come from and What does macabre mean in Arabic?
  4. What does nabob (nawab) mean in Arabic and Where does the word “nabob” come from?
  5. Where does the word “Fakir” come from and What does Fakir mean in Arabic?
  6. Where does the word “Sofa” come from and What does Sofa mean in Arabic?