teetotum

American  

[tee-toh-tuhm] / tiˈtoʊ təm /

noun

1. any small top spun with the fingers.

2. a kind of die having four sides, each marked with a different initial letter, spun with the fingers in an old game of chance.

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teetotum British  

/ tiːˈtəʊtəm /

noun

1. a spinning top bearing letters of the alphabet on its four sides

2. such a top used as a die in gambling games

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Etymology

Origin of teetotum

1710–20; earlier T totum, alteration of totum name of toy (< Latin tōtum, neuter of tōtus all) by prefixing its initial letter, which appeared on one side of the toy

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

teetotum

Though no disturbance was reported last week at Brooklyn's Evergreen Cemetery, by rights Anthony Comstock should have been spinning like a teetotum in his grave.

From Time Magazine Archive

Scopperil, skop′e-ril, n. a top: teetotum: the bone-foundation of a button.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

It is startling to see the tiny thing whirl like a reckless young teetotum.

From Lotus Buds by Carmichael, Amy

As the train steamed out of the station, she howled like a wounded animal, spinning round like a teetotum, and waving her hands and arms wildly.

From Changing Winds A Novel by Ervine, St. John G. (St. John Greer)

I always introduce the teetotum when I want to be merry.”

From Tales from Blackwood Volume 4 by Various