释义 |
▪ I. † talisman1 Obs. Also 7 talasumany, talsuman; pl. 6–7 talismani, -manni, -mans. [= F. talisman, of uncertain history; occurring in Fr. and Eng. considerably earlier than talisman2. It appears to be a corrupt or mistaken form of some Arabic, Persian, or Turkish spoken word, imperfectly caught by early travellers. See Note below.] A name formerly applied to a Turk learned in divinity and law, a Mullah; sometimes to a lower priest of Islam, a religious minister, a muezzin.
1599Hakluyt Voy. II. i. 208 This..Mosquita hath..5 steeples, from whence the Talismani call the people to the Mosquita. 1615Sandys Trav. 31 Turrets, exceeding high, and exceeding slender..from whence the Talismanni with elated voices (for they vse no bels) do congregate the people. c1618Moryson Itin. iv. (1903) 19 They are instructed by old Talismans called Cozza, as it were doctors of the law. 1632Lithgow Trav. iv. 142 The Talasumany, which is the chiefe Priest. Ibid. viii. 369 To maintaine them, and a hundred Totsecks and preaching Talsumans..extendeth to two hundred Duccats a day. 1638Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 267 The Talismanni regard the houres of prayer by turning the 4 hour'd glasse. The Muyezini crie from the tops of Mosques. 1668Rycaut Pres. St. Ottoman Emp. ii. vii. 114 Imams or Priests, Doctours of their Law, Talismans and others, who continually attend there for the Education of youth. [Note. Professor Margoliouth suggests that the word intended may possibly have been ṭailasān, a form of hood thrown over the head and shoulders, especially by preachers, but also used by doctors of law and others (see Dozy Dict. Noms de Vêtements Arabes 278). The wearer of this might be designated ṭailasānī, and this corrupted into talismānī. But evidence is wanting.] ▪ II. talisman2|ˈtælɪzmən| [= 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. ṭilsamān, 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 Muslim nations, the potent principle is held to be contained in verses from the Koran engraved on the charm.
1638Junius Paint. Ancients 137 The inaugurated statues, which now adays by them that are curious of such things are called Talisman. 1652Gaule 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. 1656Blount Glossogr., Talismans, images, or figures made under certain constellations. 1663Butler Hud. i. i. 530 For mystic learning, wondrous able In magic, talisman, and cabal. 1682Wheler Journ. Greece iii. 270 This Inscription is a kind of Talisman, or Charm. 1798Loves of Triangles i. 84 in Anti-Jacobin 23 Apr., Each scribbled Talisman, and smoky spell. 1825Scott Talism. xviii, Know, then, that the medicine..is a talisman, composed under certain aspects of the heavens. 1875Stubbs 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.
1784Cowper Task vi. 98 Books are not seldom talismans and spells By which the magic art of shrewder wits Holds an unthinking multitude enthralled. 1834Pringle Afr. Sk. xiv. 479 Let us subdue savage Africa by Justice, by Kindness, by the talisman of Christian Truth. 1908H. A. L. Fisher Bonapartism vi. 123 Bonapartism can never again stand as the..talisman of victory. †3. Applied to a person: see quot. Obs.
1646J. 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.
1678Butler 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. |