English
talent
Pronunciation
  • IPA: /ˈtælənt/
  • (British, also) IPA: /ˈtalənt/
Noun

talent (plural talents)

  1. A marked natural ability or skill. [from 15thc.]
    He has a real talent for drawing.
  2. (historical) A unit of weight and money used in ancient times in Greece, the Roman Empire, and the Middle East. [from 9thc.]
    • 1611, Authorized Version, Gospel of Matthew XXV 14-15:
      For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
  3. (obsolete) A desire or inclination for something. [14th-16thc.]
    • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, [http://quod.lib.umich.edu/c/cme/MaloryWks2/1:12.20?rgn=div2;view=fulltext chapter xx], in Le Morte Darthur, book X:
      But my hede said sir Palomydes I wille not ryde these thre dayes / […] / Truly said sir Lamorak / and I wille abyde here with you / And whan ye ryde / thenne wille I ryde / […] / therfor I pray you syr Dynadan abyde and ryde with vs / Feythfully said Dynadan I wylle not abyde for I haue suche a talent to see sir Tristram that I may not abyde longe from hym
  4. (business, media, sports) People of talent, viewed collectively; a talented person. [from 19thc.]
    The director searched their talent pool to fill the new opening.
  5. (slang) The men or (especially) women of a place or area, judged by their attractiveness. [from 20thc.]
    Not much talent in this bar tonight—let's hit the clubs.
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