*talent*

n. [ F., fr. L. talentum a talent (in sense 1), Gr. ta`lanton a balance, anything weighed, a definite weight, a talent; akin to tlh^nai to bear, endure, tolma^n, L. tolerare, tollere, to lift up, sustain, endure. See Thole, v. t., Tolerate. ] 1. Among the ancient Greeks, a weight and a denomination of money equal to 60 minae or 6, 000 drachmae. The Attic talent, as a weight, was about 57 lbs. avoirdupois; as a denomination of silver money, its value was £243 15s. sterling, or about $1, 180 (using 1900 values). [ 1913 Webster ]

Rowing vessel whose burden does not exceed five hundred talents. Jowett (Thucid.). [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Among the Hebrews, a weight and denomination of money. For silver it was equivalent to 3, 000 shekels, and in weight was equal to about 933/4 lbs. avoirdupois; as a denomination of silver, it has been variously estimated at from £340 to £396 sterling, or about $1, 645 to $1, 916 (ca. 1900). For gold it was equal to 10, 000 gold shekels. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Inclination; will; disposition; desire. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

They rather counseled you to your talent than to your profit. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Intellectual ability, natural or acquired; mental endowment or capacity; skill in accomplishing; a special gift, particularly in business, art, or the like; faculty; a use of the word probably originating in the Scripture parable of the talents (Matt. xxv. 14-30). [ 1913 Webster ]

He is chiefly to be considered in his three different talents, as a critic, a satirist, and a writer of odes. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

His talents, his accomplishments, his graceful manners, made him generally popular. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Ability; faculty; gift; endowment. See Genius. [ 1913 Webster ]