What's the difference between amulet and talisman?

Amulet


Definition:

  • (n.) An ornament, gem, or scroll, or a package containing a relic, etc., worn as a charm or preservative against evils or mischief, such as diseases and witchcraft, and generally inscribed with mystic forms or characters. [Also used figuratively.]

Example Sentences:

  • (1) The black Americans who were drafted from 1967 to 1970 called themselves Bloods, and many were influenced by the teachings and politics of Stokely Carmichael, the Black Panthers and Malcolm X. Terry explains: "They would wear black amulets, they would wear black beads, black gloves to show their identity and racial pride."
  • (2) Prenatal care consisted of consultation with a prophet, wearing amulets, using herbal concoctions for bathing and drinking, and injections of herbal power to keep evil spirits away and guarantee safe delivery.
  • (3) Among the findings were: that relatively more healers than doctors revealed their diagnoses to the patient; and that the healers, when they did diagnose, did so in terms of 'trick' and 'evil' and treatment was largely with ashes, amulets and holy water.
  • (4) Traditional treatment with local herbs, holy water and amulets was the most common.
  • (5) And the golden amulets to bring good health and fortune with - instead of the more usual images of Buddhist or Taoist holy men - engraved portraits of the former Chinese leader.
  • (6) Perlman thinks that throughout their six-project collaboration over the last 20 years (since Perlman was in Del Toro's debut, Cronos ), the director has kept him around as "an amulet, a lucky penny, a talisman," – though he laughs long and hard when I say he's really the Marlene Dietrich to Del Toro's Josef von Sternberg.
  • (7) Their preference for wearing animal skins and amulets, popular for their supposed magical powers of protection, distinguished them from the government soldiers, foreign rebels and other armed gangs who have also contributed to the wholesale rape of hundreds of thousands of women and girls over more than a decade of conflict.
  • (8) But these telephone calls, such 21st-century amulets, were no good.
  • (9) The author notes that in ancient Egypt many amulets to produce conception have been found but none to prevent it.
  • (10) Jed turned out to be packed with mud and sand, and with no trace of either a real heart, or the practical Egyptians' customary addition of a heart amulet in case the fallible human organ proved wanting when weighed by the gods against a feather in the scales of justice.
  • (11) Researchers have scanned and made 3D copies of amulets that adorned her body.
  • (12) Amulets, arm rings, hair style, eye makeup is supposed to protect from the evil eye.
  • (13) This article concerns the following points: impregnation, formation of the human embryo, Eve's creation, indirect fecundation and spermatic pollution, bi-sexuality of the first man, libido, signs of virginity, female infertility, incest, multiparity, post-menopausal conception, the fructifying powers of amulets, plants and seeds, the course of pregnancy and antenatal care, normal and difficult labour, premature birth (was Moses premature?
  • (14) Individuals with atypical plasma cholinesterase should wear a Medic-Alert bracelet or amulet so that complications and fatalities can be avoided.
  • (15) Yet by 10am, the stall manager, Frances Bird, has already bought quite a collection of (mostly broken) rings, bracelets, necklaces and amulets from one woman.
  • (16) Some findings of mythological significance could be demonstrated radiologically, such as the fact that the heart and kidneys had been left in the body, the presence of a scarab, various gold plates and amulets and a fayence-decorated shroud.

Talisman


Definition:

  • (n.) A magical figure cut or engraved under certain superstitious observances of the configuration of the heavens, to which wonderful effects are ascribed; the seal, figure, character, or image, of a heavenly sign, constellation, or planet, engraved on a sympathetic stone, or on a metal corresponding to the star, in order to receive its influence.
  • (n.) Hence, something that produces extraordinary effects, esp. in averting or repelling evil; an amulet; a charm; as, a talisman to avert diseases.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) Consecutive man-of-the-match performances against Greece and Ivory Coast helped Colombia brush aside the lassitude that swamped the country’s World Cup preparations after injury to their talismanic striker Falcao .
  • (2) But fashion matters at M&S, because womenswear occupies a talismanic position in the business.
  • (3) Susuks or charm needles are a form of talisman inserted and worn subcutaneously, in the face and other parts of the body, in the belief that they will enhance or preserve the wearer's beauty, youth, charisma, strength or health, or bring success in business.
  • (4) The starting line-up included a goalkeeper and a centre-half from Millwall, who have just finished fifth from bottom of the Championship, and the talisman, Robbie Keane, earns his living these days in Major League Soccer.
  • (5) Uruguay have followed Luis Suárez in departing the World Cup , though unlike their talismanic striker they need not be consumed by shame at this exit.
  • (6) Keeping music close to you is one of the easiest ways to ward off elderliness, a talisman that banishes irrelevance.
  • (7) It was always going to be a night of milestones, but almost predictably it was Cahill who drew upon his talismanic qualities to be the hero of the night and equal Australia's goal-scoring record.
  • (8) Link to video I can’t entirely explain how and why she grew – suddenly, inelegantly, cartoonishly – from highly able political staffer rushing between engagements to talisman.
  • (9) Rather, the established order was ganging up against this team and their talisman.
  • (10) He is their talisman and central to their style of play, whether breaking with such pace on the counterattack or pressing aggressively from the front.
  • (11) It all came from a moment of joyous skill from the home side’s talisman, Payet.
  • (12) Perlman thinks that throughout their six-project collaboration over the last 20 years (since Perlman was in Del Toro's debut, Cronos ), the director has kept him around as "an amulet, a lucky penny, a talisman," – though he laughs long and hard when I say he's really the Marlene Dietrich to Del Toro's Josef von Sternberg.
  • (13) The 33-year-old is the team’s talisman and now plays in a deeper position.
  • (14) He knows exactly which types he signs,” says Besart Berisha, who was his talisman at the Brisbane Roar.
  • (15) Poland, by contrast, had their talisman and Lewandowski quickly set about trying to justify his manager’s pre-match assertion that no one could stop him.
  • (16) Unwise: for Poles, tampering with the constitution insults the very talisman of Polish independence.
  • (17) And if Busby indulged Best to a fault, Ferguson turned a blind eye to the excesses of his own talisman, Eric Cantona.
  • (18) Hernández threaded a pass into the area through the legs of Bradford's captain, Gary Jones, and Swansea's talisman threaded a shot into the bottom corner through the legs of Carl McHugh for his 19th goal of the season.
  • (19) These talismans are believed to enhance the beauty of the wearers, as well as to provide protection to the wearers against harm.
  • (20) Brendan Rodgers will not care to reflect on Tottenham Hotspur’s struggles to cope without their former talisman, Gareth Bale, last season.