talisman

noun

1. A magical object providing protection against ill will, or the supernatural, or conferring the wearer with a boon such as good luck, good health, or power(s).

   “That woman’s love is a talisman by which he holds and hopes to get his safety.”

   “I have in my possession three Magic Talismans, which I have ever guarded with utmost care, keeping the knowledge of their existence from anyone else.”

   “Dagobert gave him back his passport. He re-pocketed it indifferently; a talisman which had lost its potency.”

   “She kept low, clutching the rifle she'd taken as though it were a magic talisman, as if it would somehow protect her even though she didn't fire it.”

   “Mata would soon whip in the cross that allowed Drogba to equalise – and Chelsea went on to win the Champions League, beating the German club on penalties, with their talisman from the Ivory Coast making history with the final spot-kick.”

2. (India, obsolete)A mullah (Islamic religious scholar).

verb

1. (transitive)To adorn with a talisman.

   “The second in his saddle reeled, / Down thundered man and horse;— / Oft I essayed with blow and thrust, / As oft a foeman rolled in dust; / But, ah, what could a single arm, / Though talismaned by beauty’s charm, / Against a host?—for love—for life— / I waged awhile the desperate strife; / ’T was vain—I fell—was left for dead— / And rescued was th’ unwilling maid!”

   “Lo, under their coats, amulets of idols! Possibly such charms talismaned every breast in his army.”

   “They had a pitched battle in the spirit; the girl at length said, “You have something strong which I cannot endure,” and Madame Guyon confesses that she was talismaned by a piece of the true cross around her neck.”

   “After some opening sentences, affirming that Joy, Grace and Love are the marks of the elect of God, we are informed that a letter was mysteriously sent down from heaven to earth, as if it had been shot from a bow. People rushed to read it; but it was talismaned by a seal, which none dared to break.”

   “Fond youth, vain were thy sulphurous bolts against / This subtle necromancer, armed and talismaned / By the Grail’s prophylactic power.”