talent

Etymology

From Middle English talent, from Old English talente, borrowed from the plural of Latin talentum (“a Grecian weight; a talent of money”), from Ancient Greek τάλαντον (tálanton, “balance, a particular weight, especially of gold, sum of money, a talent”). Compare Old High German talenta (“talent”). Later figurative senses are from Old French talent (“talent, will, inclination, desire”), derived from the biblical Parable of the Talents.

noun

1. A marked natural ability or skill.
   Feel awfully about Scott... I always knew he couldn't think—he never could—but he had a marvelous talent and the thing is to use it—not whine in public. 1936 Feb. 15, Ernest Hemingway, letter to Maxwell Perkins
   He has a real talent for drawing.
2. (historical) A unit of weight and money used in ancient times in Greece, the Roman Empire, and the Middle East, equal to about 30 to 60 kg in various times and places.
3. (obsolete) A desire or inclination for something.
4. (business, media, sports) People of talent, viewed collectively; a talented person.
   The director searched their talent pool to fill the new opening.
5. (slang) The men or (especially) women of a place or area, judged by their attractiveness.
   Not much talent in this bar tonight—let's hit the clubs.
   I went down to the beach front, of course, for that was the first thing that all Vaalies did: to look at the sea and to check the talent on the beach. 2011, Nic Venter, Wow! What a Life!, page 179