talent

UK: ˈtalənt | US: ˈtælənt

Definition
  1. n. natural aptitude or skill in a specific area

  2. n. a person or group of people possessing such aptitude

  3. n. (historical) a unit of weight or money in ancient times

Structure
tal <weight, sum (from Greek "talanton")>ent <noun suffix>
Etymology

The word "talent" originates from the Greek "talanton," meaning a unit of weight or monetary value. In ancient times, it represented a significant sum of money or measure of precious metals. The modern sense of "natural ability" evolved metaphorically through the Biblical parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30), where servants were entrusted with "talents" (money) and expected to use them productively. Over time, the term shifted from a literal measure of wealth to a figurative measure of innate potential.

Examples
  1. Her artistic talent was evident from a young age.

  2. The company recruits top talent from around the world.

  3. He wasted his musical talent by never practicing.

  4. In ancient Greece, a talent of silver was a substantial fortune.

  5. The workshop aims to nurture young talent in science.