Talent, n.
Etymology: [F., fr. L. talentum a talent (in sense 1), Gr. 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 minæ or 6,000 drachmæ. 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
3. Inclination; will; disposition; desire. [Obs.] 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 (Matt. xxv. 14- 30). 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.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Ability; faculty; gift; endowment. See Genius.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for talent; he lists it under genius, power.
Where he writes about it:
Talent is marked mental ability, and in a special sense, a particular and uncommon aptitude for some special mental work or attainment. — from genius
Genius is higher than talent, more spontaneous, less dependent upon instruction, less amenable to training; talent is largely the capacity to learn, acquire, appropriate, adapt oneself to demand. — from genius
Faculty is an inherent quality of mind or body; talent, some special mental ability. — from power
Dexterity and skill are readiness and facility in action, having a special end; talent is innate, dexterity and skill are largely acquired. — from power