talents definition

Special consideration given to students with demonstrated talent/abilities in areas of interest to the institution (e.g., sports, the arts, languages, etc.).

(14 Jan 2009)

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. "Rowing vessel whose burden does not exceed five hundred talents." (Jowett (Thucid))

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 93 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. For gold it was equal to 10,000 gold shekels.

3. Inclination; will; disposition; desire. "They rather counseled you to your talent than to your profit." (Chaucer)

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 . "He is chiefly to be considered in his three different talents, as a critic, a satirist, and a writer of odes." (Dryden) "His talents, his accomplishments, his graceful manners, made him generally popular." (Macaulay)

Synonyms: Ability, faculty, gift, endowment. See Genius.

Origin: F, fr. L. Talentum a talent (in sense 1), Gr. A balance, anything weighed, a definite weight, a talent; akin to to bear, endure, L. Tolerare, tollere, to lift up, sustain, endure. See Thole, Tolerate.

(01 Mar 1998)