talentn.
/ˈtalənt/, /ˈtaln̩t/, U.S. /ˈtælənt/ I. An ancient weight, a money of account (Latin talentum).
1. † c. Heraldry. Used as = bezant n. 3. Obsolete.† d. figurative. Treasure, riches, wealth, abundance.
a. A denomination of weight, used by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, and other ancient nations; varying greatly with time, people, and locality.The Royal Babylonian talent averaged about 29·87 kilograms or 65 lb. 13 oz.; the chief Greek varieties were the Old Æginetan talent of 40·3 kilog. (88 lb. 12 oz.), the later Æginetan or emporetic Attic, 36·4 kilog. (80 lb. 4 oz.), and the Solonic or later Attic, 25·8 kilog. (56 lb. 14 oz., or a little over half a hundredweight).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement by weighing > [noun] > unit or denomination of weight > units in ancient Greece, Asia Minor, etc.
talentc893
scriplea1382
minaa1398
mnaa1398
statera1398
mina1495
shekel1560
siglos1911
c893 tr. Orosius Hist. iv. vi. §1 Hanna..him ælce geare gesealde twa hund talentana siolfres: on ælcre anre talentan wæs lxxx punda.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. xxxviii. 26 An hundryd talentes of siluer.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Rev. xvi. 21 And greet hayl as a talent cam doun fro heuen.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Zech. v. 7 Lo! a talent of lede was born.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. ccvi. f. cxxvii There be thre maner of talentes. The firste & grettest is of ye weyghte of .vi. xx. li. weyght.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Talent, or certayne poyse or weyght, talentum.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ix, in tr. Virgil Wks. 474 With two great Talents of the finest Gold.
1801 Asiatic Ann. Reg. 1800 Suppl. Chron. 149/2 They afterwards advanced to deliver their presents, consisting of talents of gold and silver.
1807 J. Robinson Archæol. Græca v. xxvi. 551 Grecian weights reduced to English Troy weight:..Talent = 65 lb., 12 dwt., 543/ 49 grains.
1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) III. xix. 121 The statue of Athene in the Parthenon alone contained forty talents weight of pure gold.
b. The value of a talent weight (of gold, silver, etc.): a money of account.The Babylonian silver talent was equal to 3000 shekels; the Greek talent contained 60 minæ or 6000 silver drachmæ, and the value of the later Attic talent of silver, with pure silver at 4s. 9d. an oz. troy, has been estimated at £200; at a higher value of silver, at £243 15s. (N.E.D.)
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > value of money > [noun] > specific equivalent weights
talentc893
silver weightc1000
pennyweighta1398
solid1601
weight1890
c893 tr. Orosius Hist. iv. vi. §18 Eac him gesealden þæronufan iii. m talentana ælce geare.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xviii. 24 Oon was offrid to hym, that owȝte to hym ten thousand talentis.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxv. 15 As a man goynge fer in pilgrimage, clepide his seruauntis, and bitoke to hem his goodis; and to oon he ȝaue fyue talentis,..forsothe to an other two.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 5 Of þe whiche richesse..Hircanus þe bisshop ȝaf Anthiochus, Demetrius his sone, þre þowsand talentis.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 279/1 Talent a somme of money, talent.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) ii. ii. 189 My occasions haue found time to vse 'em toward a supply of mony: let the request be fifty Talents . View more context for this quotation
1771 Raper in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 61 468 This way of reckoning 100 Drachms to the Mina, and 60 Minas to the Talent, was common to all Greece.
1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar xv. 228 He brought 7,000 talents—a million and a half of English money—to the Roman treasury.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > charge: device on shield > [noun] > less honourable charge > circular device > of specific tinctures
pelletc1425
plate1466
bezant1486
cake1486
gunstone1486
ogle1486
talent1486
torteau1486
tortlet1486
wastel1486
ogressa1550
golpe1562
guze1562
orange1562
pomeis1562
plat1592
fountain1610
tortey1688
1486 Bk. St. Albans, Her. E iij It is not necessari here to expres the colowre of the talentis or besantis: for thay be euer of golde.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > wealth > wealth or riches > [noun]
wealc888
ednessa1200
richessea1200
richdomc1225
richesses?c1225
wealtha1275
richesc1275
winc1275
warison1297
wonea1300
merchandisec1300
aver1330
richesc1330
substancea1382
abundancec1384
suffisance1390
talenta1400
pelf?a1505
opulence?1518
wealthsa1533
money bag1562
capital1569
opulency1584
affluency1591
affluence1593
exuberance1675
nabobism1784
money1848
a1400–50 Alexander (Dublin) 1666 Takez hym to hys tresory, talentes hym shewys.
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1311/1 All hayle holy crosse which hath deserued to beare the precious talent of the worlde.
a1606 Ballad Stucley in Simpson School of Shakspere (1878) I. 146 Many a noble gallant—sold both land and talent.
1609 W. Shakespeare Louers Complaint in Sonnets sig. K4v And Lo behold these tallents of their heir, With twisted mettle amorously empleacht.
1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada 66 On her therefore spent he all the talent of his hatred.
II. Inclination, disposition (Old French talent).† 2. Inclination, propension, or disposition for anything; ‘mind’, ‘will’, wish, desire, appetite.† 3. An evil inclination, disposition, or passion; esp. and usually, anger: cf. maltalent n. and adj., ‘ill talent’, ill-will (which occurs somewhat earlier). Obsolete.† 4. † b. transferred. Quality (of taste or flavour). rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > [noun]
willeOE
hearteOE
i-willc888
self-willeOE
intent?c1225
device1303
couragec1320
talentc1325
greec1330
voluntyc1330
fantasyc1374
likinga1375
disposingc1380
pleasancea1382
affectionc1390
wish1390
disposition1393
affecta1398
likea1400
lista1400
pleasingc1400
emplesance1424
pleasurec1425
well-willingc1443
notiona1450
mindc1450
fancy1465
empleseur1473
hest?a1513
plighta1535
inclination1541
cue1567
month's mind1580
disposedness1583
leaning1587
humour1595
wouldings1613
beneplacit1643
wouldingness1645
vergency1649
bene-placiture1662
good liking1690
draught1758
tida1774
inkling1787
1292 Britton v. i. §1 Pur doner meillour talent a femmes de amer matrimoigne.]
c1325 Metr. Hom. (Vernon MS.) in Herrig Archiv LVII. 263 But hedde he no talent to chase.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 8459 To what thyng þe saule has talent, To þat þe body salle, ay, assent.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum xii. vi. (Tollem. MS.) To make hem haue talent to mete.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3913 Þan bigan þam tak talent [Fairf. talande, Gött. taland] To wend in to þair aun land.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 486/1 Talent, or lyste,..appetitus, delectacio.
c1450 Bk. Hawkyng in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell Reliquiæ Antiquæ (1845) I. 306 The which schall..make here have a talente to hire mete.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 6 Grete talent and desyre she had to knowe hym.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 694 The wynd wes wele to thar talent.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. ix. 89 Yis, lord, I am at youre talent.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 279/1 Talent or lust, talent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > ill-will > [noun]
evil willc897
leth971
loathc1175
atterness?c1225
ill1303
maltalentc1330
ill-willingnessa1340
talenta1380
malignityc1390
ill willa1400
fellnessc1410
malevolencec1454
malignation?c1500
hatefulness1548
malignance1605
malevolency1635
malignancy1640
reptilism1821
fiendism1852
unbenignity1867
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > ill will, malevolence > [noun]
evil willc897
leth971
loathc1175
atterness?c1225
ill1303
maltalentc1330
ill-willingnessa1340
talenta1380
malignityc1390
ill willa1400
with hard (also sorry) gracec1405
malevolencec1454
malignation?c1500
malignitiesa1529
hatefulness1548
malignance1605
fiendishness1613
malevolency1635
malignancy1640
fellness1678
malevolentness1727
malignantness1727
reptilism1821
unbenignity1867
c1330 (?c1300) Bevis of Hampton (Auch.) 3978 Sire Beues þo, veraiment For-ȝaf him alle is mautalent.]
a1380 St. Ambrose 698 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1878) 19 An officer greued Ambrose sore..And sende word to him wiþ gret talent.
c1386 G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale 1039 Hym ne moeued outher conscience Or Ire or talent or som kynnes affray, Enuye, or pride.
c1412 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 2326 Al his angir and his irrous talent Refreyned he.
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 68 One that had of a long time borne an ill Talent towards the King.
1652 Earl of Monmouth tr. G. Bentivoglio Hist. Relations Flanders 41 Their tallent is alike evil against the Archduke Albertus and his wife.
1695 W. Temple Introd. Hist. Eng. (1699) 581 Several Writers shew their ill Talent to this Prince.
a. Disposition or state of mind or character.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > disposition or character > [noun]
heartOE
erda1000
moodOE
i-mindOE
i-cundeOE
costc1175
lundc1175
evena1200
kinda1225
custc1275
couragec1300
the manner ofc1300
qualityc1300
talentc1330
attemperancec1374
complexionc1386
dispositiona1387
propertyc1390
naturea1393
assay1393
inclinationa1398
gentlenessa1400
proprietya1400
habitudec1400
makingc1400
conditionc1405
habitc1405
conceitc1425
affecta1460
ingeny1477
engine1488
stomach?1510
mind?a1513
ingine1533
affection1534
vein1536
humour?1563
natural1564
facultyc1565
concept1566
frame1567
temperature1583
geniusa1586
bent1587
constitution1589
composition1597
character1600
tune1600
qualification1602
infusion1604
spirits1604
dispose1609
selfness1611
disposure1613
composurea1616
racea1616
tempera1616
crasisc1616
directiona1639
grain1641
turn1647
complexure1648
genie1653
make1674
personality1710
tonea1751
bearing1795
liver1800
make-up1821
temperament1821
naturalness1850
selfhood1854
Wesen1854
naturel1856
sit1857
fibre1864
character structure1873
mentality1895
mindset1909
psyche1910
where it's (he's, she's) at1967
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 5882 To geuen the other gode talent.
a1400 Lybeaus Disc. 612 Elene..ladde her ynto the greves..Wyth well good talent.
1450–80 tr. Secreta Secret. 15 The talent of man takith thereof gret strengthe and corage in alle manhode.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > [noun]
smacka1000
savour?c1225
relesec1330
tastea1382
sentimentc1400
smatchc1400
taragec1407
tangc1440
weffec1440
tallage14..
sapor1477
verdurea1513
verdour1526
relish1530
verder1532
gustc1540
waft1542
smacker1549
talent1550
tack1602
tache1607
tincture1610
twang1611
foretaster1632
flavour1693
gusto1713
goût1751
saporosity1794
gustativeness1827
savouring1840
sipidity1880
palate1973
1550 J. Heywood Hundred Epigrammes xcii. sig. Cvi The talent of one chese in mouthes of ten men, Hath x. different tastis.
1606 G. W. tr. Justinus Hist. Pref. As with a tun of Wine, which..doth take an euill talent of the Caske.
III. Mental endowment; natural ability.[From the parable of the talents, Matt. xxv. 14–30, etc.]† 7.
5. Power or ability of mind or body viewed as something divinely entrusted to a person for use and improvement: considered either as one organic whole or as consisting of a number of distinct faculties; (with plural) any one of such faculties.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > ability or talent > viewed as divine gift
talentc1430
the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > ability or talent > a talent or special ability > divinely entrusted
talentc1430
c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 240 Who shal me save Fro feendys daunger, t'acounte for my talent?
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Diiiiv They be the talentes that god hath lent to man in this lyfe: of the whiche he wyll aske moste streyt accounte.
1574 J. Dee in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Lit. Men (1843) (Camden) 39 That this florishing Kingdome may long enjoye the great Talent committed to your Lordship (from above).
1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 374 Hide not this talent, but teach it others, and giue thy selfe an example vnto them of well doing.
1607 Fayre Mayde of Exchange in T. Heywood Wks. (1874) II. 60 His industry hath now increas'd his talent.
1669 A. Woodhead tr. Life St. Teresa (1671) ii. ii. 10 Our Lord having herein given him an extraordinary talent.
1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 168 We should presume People have understood their Opportunities, and managed their Talent, and their Time to advantage.
1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 212 Though nature weigh our talents, and dispense To ev'ry man his modicum of sense.
1842 C. Kingsley Lett. (1878) I. 59 Remember that your talents are a loan from God.
6. 1856 G. Davis Hist. Sketch Stockbridge & Southbridge, Mass. 213 It summoned to its investigation the first talents of the nation.1883 Daily News 21 July 6/5 Xarifa was the most in demand, and the talent again proved correct in their choice, Mr. Valentine's filly winning a capital race by a neck.1885 Field 3 Oct. 489/1 All the talent were discomfited though; as they often are in Nurseries.1886 H. Hall Society in Elizabethan Age 100 Throughout the summer there were always two..of the local ‘talent’ engaged in fishing upon the manor.1888 H. James in Fortn. Rev. May 651 M. Pierre Loti is a new enough talent for us still to feel something of the glow of exultation at his having not contradicted us, but [etc.].1928 E. Blom Limitations Mus. 139 Honegger is a Swiss and a great talent to boot.1958 Spectator 4 July 14/1 The studio, with its presiding talent, Lee Strasberg.1977 Rolling Stone 24 Mar. 74/1 The record's not great, but the lady's a real talent.1807 All Talents in Ireland! 10 The general impression upon the public mind, relative to the recent change in administration, seems to be, that the downfall of ‘All the Talents’ was occasioned by the unbending perverseness of my Lord H-w-k..and the deference which Lord G-n-lle paid to Lord H-w-k.1837 G. W. Cooke Hist. Party III. xviii. 460 The administration, which was ironically designated by its opponents as ‘All the Talents’.1861 C. Knight Pop. Hist. Eng. VII. xxvi. 463 The ministry of ‘All the Talents’ was accepted without any hesitation on the part of the king.1895 C. Oman Hist. Eng. xxxviii. 608 The short Fox-Grenville cabinet, which contemporary wits called the ministry of ‘All the Talents’, on account of its broad and comprehensive character.1897 J. Morley Guicciardini in Crit. Misc. (1908) 4th Ser. 79 Cabinets of all the Talents have sometimes been cabinets of all the blunders.
a. A special natural ability or aptitude, usually for something expressed or implied; a natural capacity for success in some department of mental or physical activity; †an accomplishment (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > ability or talent
enginea1393
virtuea1425
kindnessc1425
part1561
vogue1590
disposition1600
talent1602
genio1612
genius1649
turn1721
aptitude1793
the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > ability or talent > a talent or special ability
gifta1300
dowerc1375
dowryc1440
faculty1490
indument1527
dote1546
furniture1561
vein1568
talent1602
acquirement1607
enduement1609
endowmentc1610
genius1611
congruity1659
feeling1808
feel1891
1602 W. Watson Decacordon Ten Quodlibeticall Questions 336 Silly bodies and sorie fellowes of no talent gift or ability.
1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada Ep. Ded. He alone having the talent of both conceiving and expressing himselfe.
c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1644 (1955) II. 96 He would needes perswade me to goe along with him..to the Jesuites Colledge to be witnesse of his polemical talent.
1685 J. Dryden Sylvæ Pref. sig. a6 He is chiefly to be consider'd in his three different Talents, as he was a Critick, a Satyrist, and a Writer of Odes.
1693 W. Congreve Old Batchelour iv. iii. 38 Where did you get this excellent Talent of Railing?
1774 Ld. Chesterfield Lett. to Son I. x. 36 To write letters well..is a talent which unavoidably occurs every day of one's life.
1846 W. Greener Sci. Gunnery (new ed.) 398 They seem to possess a ‘talent’ for this sort of thing.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 199 He had shown..two talents invaluable to a prince, the talent of choosing his servants well, and the talent of appropriating to himself the chief part of the credit of their acts.
b. plural. Aptitudes or faculties of various kinds; mental powers of a superior order; abilities, parts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > ability or talent > a talent or special ability > collectively
naturalsa1400
sentimentc1470
part1561
natural parts1642
talents1656
eligibilities1660
outfit1851
1656 T. Blount Glossographia (at cited word) We say, a man of good talents, i. of good parts or abilities.
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1654 (1955) III. 109 Mr. Gibbon that famous Musitian, giving us a tast of his skill & Talent on that Instrument.
1731 H. Fielding Letter-writers ii. i. 20 Love and War I find still require the same Talents.
1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. II. 259 The duke of Buckingham, a man of talents and power.
1796 M. Robinson Angelina I. 69 She is the only unaffected woman of talents I have met with.
1849 J. G. Whittier Leaves from Margaret Smith's Jrnl. in Prose Wks. (1889) I. 92 What avail great talents, if they be not devoted to goodness?
1895 N. W. Sibley in Law Times 99 476/2 It requires the talents of a Boileau, Molière, or La Fontaine to play the part of a flâneur with any success.
c. collective singular (without a or plural). Mental power or ability; cleverness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > [noun]
i-witc888
anyitOE
understandinga1050
ferec1175
skillwisenessa1200
quaintisec1300
brainc1325
cunning1340
reder1340
cunningnessa1400
sentencec1400
intelligence?1435
speculation1471
ingeny1474
cunningheadc1475
capacity1485
pregnancyc1487
dexterity1527
pregnance?1533
shift1542
wittiness1543
ingeniousness1555
conceitedness1576
pate1598
conceit1604
ingeniosity1607
dexterousness1622
talent1622
ingenuousness1628
solertiousnessa1649
ingenuity1651
partedness1654
brightness1655
solerty1656
prettiness1674
long head1694
long lega1705
cleverness1755
smartness1800
cleverality1828
brain power1832
knowledgeability1834
braininess1876
cerebrality1901
1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán Rogue (1623) i. 193 Other poore rogues of lesse talent.
1670 J. Smith England's Improvem. Reviv'd 6 As much as their Talent and Capacity will amount to.
1749 Mrs. Belfour in S. Richardson Corr. (1804) IV. 259 Your talent may be universal; I believe it is.
1764 O. Goldsmith Traveller 18 And talent sinks, and merit weeps unknown.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker I. 206 Without principle, talent, or intelligence.
1800 R. Southey Let. to J. Rickman 9 Jan. in C. C. Southey Life & Corr. R. Southey (1850) II. vi. 46 We have men of talent here also.
1809 S. T. Coleridge Own Times 655 The aristocracy of talent.
1821 S. Smith Wks. (1850) 313 A work in which great and extraordinary talent is evinced.
1847 R. W. Emerson Goethe in Wks. (1906) I. 390 In England and in America, there is a respect for talent.
1877 J. Morley Crit. Misc. 2nd Ser. 149 He was a person of no talent, his friends allowed.
d. Talent as embodied in the talented; sometimes approaching or passing into the sense: Persons of talent or ability collectively; as singular, a person of talent. By the sporting press, applied to backers of horses, as distinguished from the ‘layers’ or bookmakers, the implication being that those whose investments make a horse a ‘favourite’ are supposed to be ‘the clever ones’. (Administration of) All the Talents (English History), an ironical appellation of the Ministry of Lord Grenville, 1806–7, implying that it combined in its members all the talents.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > ability or talent > people having talent > person having talent
natural1749
talent1807
dungeona1859
the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > ability or talent > people having talent
heaven-born1822
talent1838
1809 W. Scott Let. 15 Feb. (1932) II. 164 Yet the aggregate of talent from which assistance is expected is very formidable.
1838 T. B. Macaulay Sir William Temple in Ess. (1887) 452 Clarendon..seems to have taken a sort of morose pleasure in slighting and provoking all the rising talent of the kingdom.
1885 J. K. Jerome On Stage 17 Selfish fellows who wanted to keep young talent from the stage.]
e. Frequenters of the underworld. Australian slang. Now Obsolete or rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > low rank or condition > the lowest class > [noun] > persons of the lowest class (collectively)
chenaille1340
offal?a1425
putaylea1425
ribaldail1489
abject1526
offscouring1526
dreg1531
outsweeping1535
braggery1548
ribaldry1550
raff1557
sink1574
cattle1579
offscum1579
rabble1579
baggagery1589
scum1590
waste1592
menialty1593
baggage1603
froth1603
refuse1603
tag-rag1609
retriment1615
trasha1616
recrement1622
silts1636
garbage1648
riffle-raffle1668
raffle1670
riff-raff1678
scurf1688
mob1693
scouring1721
ribble-rabble1771
sweeping1799
clamjamphrie1816
ragabash1823
scruff1836
residuum1851
talent1882
1882 Sydney Slang Dict. 8/2 The Forties, the worst types of ‘the talent’ who get up rows in a mob,..and sometimes assault and rob, either in barrooms or the streets.
1928 ‘Brent of Bin Bin’ Up Country x. 151 The elder won by telling his son he could use the Waterfall stallion as a saddle-horse in the off season, and have him for his own in place of Black Belle, on condition that he left the talent of Eagle Hawk Gullies strictly alone.
1953 D. Cusack Southern Steel 31 He'd learn responsibility quicker married than he would knocking about the ports with the rest of the talent.
f. The women of a particular locality collectively (as singular), judged according to attractiveness and sexual promise, esp. as local talent n. (b) at local adj. and n. Compounds. Also applied occasionally to men. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attractiveness > [noun] > attractive person > woman > collectively
witchery1777
local talent1947
talent1947
crackling1949
1947 M. Gilbert Close Quarters xii. 175 You can play darts and engage the local talent in gossip.
1950 J. Cleary Just let me Be 115 [He] looked after her, and Harry grinned at him. ‘Not bad, eh?’ he said... ‘That's a bit of the local talent.’
1963 Sunday Times 1 Sept. (Colour Suppl.) 8 You can take a turn on the [sea-]front and see what the talent is like.
1969 J. Fowles French Lieutenant's Woman xxxix. 292 Far duller the customers—the numerically equal male sex, who, stick in hand and ‘weed’ in mouth, eyed the evening's talent.
1972 ‘M. Yorke’ Silent Witness ii. 24 No chance had come her way... ‘Your charms are waning,’ Liz had said dryly. ‘There isn't any talent,’ Sue had answered.
a. The characteristic disposition or aptitude of a person or animal. (Apparently blending 4, 6.) Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > [noun] > a characteristic
privilegec1225
distinctionc1374
propertyc1390
tachea1400
pointa1425
specialty?a1425
difference?c1425
conditionc1460
markc1522
touch1528
specialty1532
differentia1551
character?1569
formality1570
particularity1585
peculiar1589
accent1591
appropriation1600
characterism1603
peculiarity1606
resemblance1622
propera1626
speciality1625
specificationa1631
appropriament1633
characteristic1646
discrimination1646
diagnostic1651
characteristical1660
stroke1666
talent1670
physiognomya1680
oddity1713
distinctive1816
spécialité1836
trait1864
flavour1866
middle name1905
discriminant1920
discriminator1943
1670 J. Dryden in J. Dryden & W. Davenant Shakespeare's Tempest Pref. sig. A2 This is certainly the talent of that Nation.
1697 J. Vanbrugh Provok'd Wife ii. 24 Besides 'tis my particular Talent to ridicule folks.
1698 J. Collier Short View Immorality Eng. Stage i. 7 Obscenity in any Company is a rustick uncreditable Talent; but among Women 'tis particularly rude.
1701 J. Swift Disc. Contests Nobles & Commons v. 52 It is the Talent of human Nature to run from one Extream to another.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xxx. 116 Pride is not my Talent.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth IV. 159 Its talents are entirely repressed in solitude, and are only brought out by society.
b. The good points or qualities of a horse. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > temperament > [noun] > excellent > good quality
talent1725
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Horse If your Horse's Talent be Speed, all that you can do is to wait upon the other Horse, and keep behind till you come almost to the Stand, and then endeavour to give a Loose by him.
Compounds
talent agency n. an organization which seeks to place talented amateurs in the world of professional entertainment.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > [noun] > talent-scouting > agency
talent agency1956
1956 ‘B. Holiday’ & W. Dufty Lady sings Blues viii. 95 Nobody was in a position to push a hotel chain, a broadcasting network, and the talent agency around.
1977 Rolling Stone 24 Mar. 48/5 Christine and a girlfriend/singing partner snuck away from their strict parents in Birmingham and visited every talent agency they could find in London.
talent-hiding n.
ΚΠ
1623 W. Lisle in tr. Ælfric Saxon Treat. Old & New Test. Pref. 7 I thought it a shame, and the great fault also of talent-hiding, to lead all my life in study.
talent money n. a bonus or gratuity given to a professional athlete, etc. for specially meritorious performance.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > [noun] > extra payments
lowancea1325
bonus1759
understanding1826
reach1851
talent money1859
trip money1891
poundage1892
proficiency pay1906
loading1937
weighting1946
incentive1948
holiday loading1986
1859 Bell's Life in London 14 Aug. 8/2 When the time arrived for drawing the stumps. Both [players]..were loudly cheered during the presentation of the ‘talent’ money.
1896 Ld. Hawke in Westm. Gaz. 25 Nov. 5/3 Whilst they were pleased to congratulate the one who made 100, [or] a bowler who earned talent money.
1896 Daily Chron. 5 May 5/8 Briggs..saw Sugg earn his ‘talent money’ after the latter had been batting fifty minutes.
talent scout n. = scout n.4 2e.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > [noun] > talent-scouting > talent scout
talent scout1936
talent-spotter1944
1936 New Republic 28 Oct. 351/2 Paramount's ‘Big Broadcast of 1937’..(Paramount talent-scouts: there's a joker here somewhere.)
1939 N. Monsarrat This is Schoolroom iii. xvii. 383 He was appraising the women present, as if he were a talent scout who only recognised one talent.
1952 P. G. Wodehouse Pigs have Wings x. 202 I understand that he's always being approached with flattering offers by the talent scouts of Colney Hatch and similar institutions.
1976 A. Powell Infants of Spring x. 170 Lyall worked intermittently as a film actor, consequence of a talent-scout seeing him making faces in a restaurant.
talent-scouting n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > [noun] > talent-scouting
talent-scouting1934
talent-spotting1957
1934 M. H. Weseen Dict. Amer. Slang 154 Talent scouting,..seeking new actors.
talent show n. a show or competition consisting of performances by a series of promising entertainers, esp. ones seeking to enter show business professionally.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > a public show or spectacle > type of show or spectacle > [noun] > other shows or spectacles
raree-show1718
cattle-show1815
flower-show1845
baby show1854
trade show1854
horse-show1856
dress parade1870
field show1870
bottle show1883
medicine show1903
aquacade1937
icecapade1940
talent show1955
1955 F. G. Patton Good Morning, Miss Dove 70 She had won a talent show and gone to New York.
1977 Detroit Free Press 11 Dec. 11- b/3 After that he landed parts in the theater productions, ice shows and talent shows.
talent-spot v. transitive and intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > be able to [verb (intransitive)] > seek out talent
talent-spot1937
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > perform [verb (intransitive)] > talent-scout
talent-spot1937
1937 Boy's Own Paper 2 Nov. 80/2 When talent-spotting, the thing he looked out for in a half-back was the ability to deliver an artistic pass.
1968 ‘D. Torr’ Treason Line 69 He had also to prod her into making the best of her mother's party to talent-spot possible agents.
1979 A. Boyle Climate of Treason x. 324 George Blake, a Royal Navy lieutenant whom he had ‘talent-spotted’ as a possible SIS recruit for counter-espionage work in Germany.
talent-spotter n. = talent scout n. above.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > ability or talent > talent spotting > one who
spotter1935
talent-spotter1944
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > [noun] > talent-scouting > talent scout
talent scout1936
talent-spotter1944
1944 Gen. 15 Jan. 27/2 The B.B.C. talent-spotter is touring the Midlands.
1954 I. Murdoch Under Net xiv. 197 I hope that the eye of the talent-spotter has lighted favourably upon you.
1978 L. Meynell Papersnake vii. 88 It's punk..no action, what you keep these lousy talent-spotters for I can't imagine.
talent-spotting n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > ability or talent > talent spotting
talent-spotting1957
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > [noun] > talent-scouting
talent-scouting1934
talent-spotting1957
1957 Observer 3 Nov. 9/5 Competitions are an effective method for talent-spotting, an encouragement to architects and a means, sometimes, of acquiring a masterpiece.
1978 J. Pearson Façades iv. 69 Thanks to the talent-spotting skill of Richard Jennings..‘Drowned Suns’ was published in the London Daily Mirror.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
talentv.
rare.† 1. transitive. To fill with desire; = entalent v.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > excitement > exciting > excite [verb (transitive)]
astirc1000
stir?c1225
araisec1374
entalentc1374
flamec1380
reara1382
raisec1384
commove1393
kindlea1400
fluster1422
esmove1474
talent1486
heavec1540
erect?1555
inflame1560
to set on gog1560
yark1565
tickle1567
flesh1573
concitate1574
rouse1574
warmc1580
agitate1587
spirit1598
suscitate1598
fermentate1599
nettle1599
startle1602
worka1616
exagitate1621
foment1621
flush1633
exacuatea1637
ferment1667
to work up1681
pique1697
electrify1748
rattle1781
pump1791
to touch up1796
excite1821
to key up1835
to steam up1909
jazz1916
steam1922
volt1930
whee1949
to fire up1976
geek1984
the mind > emotion > love > amorous love > be in love or infatuated with [verb (transitive)] > inflame with love or desire
enamour1303
assot1393
burna1400
shoot?1473
esprise1474
talent1486
enamorate1591
inamorate1624
smite1652
besmite1685
to be struck on1893
1486 Bk. St. Albans C j b That shall talawnt hir wele, and cause her to haue goode appetide.
2. To endow with talent or talents. Chiefly in past participle talented adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > be capable of [verb (transitive)] > enable or capacitate > endow with any ability > with talent
talent1627
1627 Abp. G. Abbot in J. Rushworth Hist. Coll. (1659) 445 When one Talented, but as a common person, yet by the favour of his Prince, hath gotten that interest.
1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi iii. ii. 103/1 So Great an Ability, as that wherewith Mr. Rogers was Talented.
1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi iv. i. 130/2 In his peculiar Opportunities, with which the Free Grace of Heaven hath Talented him to do Good unto the Publick.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature (1834) II. 589 We were neither born nor talented for ourselves alone; we are citizens of the universe.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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