1. (v. t.) 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 USD1,180.

2. (v. t.) 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 93/ lbs. avoirdupois; as a denomination of silver, it has been variously estimated at from 340 to 396 sterling, or about USD1,645 to USD1,916. For gold it was equal to 10,000 gold shekels.

3. (v. t.) Inclination; will; disposition; desire.

4. (v. t.) 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).

Geist Muse ability ableness acuity acuteness adequacy adroitness afflatus aptitude aptness art artistic skill artistry arty-craftiness bent braininess brightness brilliance bump caliber capability capableness capacity child prodigy clear thinking cleverness competence craft creative thought creativity daemon daimonion demon dexterity divine afflatus dower dowry efficacy efficiency endowment equipment esprit expertise facility faculty fire of genius fitness flair forte genius gift gifted child gifted person giftedness gifts inclination ingenuity inspiration instinct intellectual genius intellectual prodigy keen-wittedness keenness knack long suit makings man of parts mental alertness mental genius mental giant mercurial mind metier native cleverness natural natural endowment natural gift nimble mind nimble-wittedness nimbleness nose nous parts penchant potential power powers predilection predisposition proclivity prodigy proficiency propensity qualification quick parts quick thinking quick wit quick-wittedness quickness ready wit savvy set sharp-wittedness sharpness skill smartness smarts soul speciality spirit sprightly wit strength strong flair strong point sufficiency susceptibility talents tendency the goods the stuff turn virtu what it takes