totem

American  

[toh-tuhm] / ˈtoʊ təm /

noun

1. a natural object or an animate being, as an animal or bird, assumed as the emblem of a clan, family, or group.

2. an object or natural phenomenon that a family or descendant group considers themselves closely related to.

3. a representation of a natural object, animate being, etc., that serves as the distinctive mark or emblem of a clan, family, or group.

4. anything serving as a distinctive, often venerated, emblem or symbol.

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totem British  

/ ˈtəʊtəm, təʊˈtɛmɪk /

noun

1. (in some societies, esp among North American Indians) an object, species of animal or plant, or natural phenomenon symbolizing a clan, family, etc, often having ritual associations

2. a representation of such an object

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totem Cultural  

1. An animal, plant, or other object in nature that has a special relationship to a person, family, or clan and serves as a sign for that person or group.

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totem Idioms  

1. see low man on the totem pole.

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Other Word Forms

• subtotem noun
• totemic adjective
• totemically adverb

Etymology

Origin of totem

An Americanism first recorded in 1750–60; from Ojibwe ninto·te·m “my totem,” oto·te·man “his totem” (probably originally “my/his clan-village-mate,” derivative of stem o·te·- “dwell in or as a village”; compare o·te·na “village”)

Example Sentences

The absentee totem, the one with the power to make all the major calls he pleases without having the responsibility of justifying them in any public forum.

From BBC

“Spatial awareness is always bottom of the totem pole.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I was the low man on that totem pole,” Reid said.

From Los Angeles Times

The Stockport-born player emerged so quickly and came into a team struggling so often, he was almost a totem.

From BBC

McTominay - Manchester United fans, look away now - has been the totem for the locals in Naples who sang his name in the streets as their team claimed the Serie A title.

From BBC

Related Words

• emblem