talisman
n. countablen. an object that people believe has magic powers to bring good luck or keep them safe. It is often something small that you can carry with you.
n. an object held to possess magical or supernatural properties, specifically to provide protection or good fortune to its possessor. Often used metaphorically to describe a person or thing that acts as a symbol of hope or luck for a group.
He kept a small stone in his pocket as a talisman.
The captain was seen as a talisman for the team, as they never lost a game when he played.
In many ancient cultures, an inscribed ring served as a powerful talisman intended to ward off evil spirits and ensure the wearer's safe return from battle.
From French talisman, partly from Arabic طِلَّسْم (ṭillasm, “payment”), from Ancient Greek τέλεσμα (télesma, “payment”); and partly directly from Byzantine Greek τέλεσμα (télesma, “talisman, religious rite, completion”), from τελέω (teléō, “to perform religious rites, to complete”), from τέλος (télos, “end, fulfillment, accomplishment, consummation, completion”). Doublet of telesm.
Uncertain. Perhaps a corruption of some Arabic word.
Often used with the preposition 'for' when describing a person who represents luck for a group.