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

His sculptures, composed of stacked forms and glazed in natural colors, bring to mind chimneys, duct work and totem poles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Along the oil-streaked shores of Lake Maracaibo — actually a massive coastal lagoon, fed by both freshwater rivers and the Caribbean — the vestiges of a once-thriving enterprise stand out like totems from a past civilization.

From Los Angeles Times

He has become the totem of this game, but he's 24th man on Saturday.

From BBC

"It is a totem of celebration for Chinese people and people around the world," he said.

From Barron's

Indeed, it is difficult to think of any place outside the tribal areas of Afghanistan or Waziristan where the firearm is such a cultural totem.

From Salon

Related Words

• emblem