talent

Meaning

Noun

• A marked natural ability or skill.
• A unit of weight and money used in ancient times in Greece, the Roman Empire, and the Middle East, equal to about 30 to 60 kg in various times and places.
• A desire or inclination for something.
• People of talent, viewed collectively; a talented person.
• The men or (especially) women of a place or area, judged by their attractiveness.

Origin

• From Middle English talent, from Old English talente, borrowed from the plural of Latin talentum ("a Grecian weight; a talent of money"), from Ancient Greek τάλαντον ("balance, a particular weight, especially of gold, sum of money, a talent"). Compare Old High German talenta ("talent"). Later senses from Old French talent ("talent, will, inclination, desire").