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

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

It’s an indelibly amusing and heartbreaking totem, suggesting play and suffering, and eventually manifesting wounds both real and internalized.

From Los Angeles Times

But he is best known for his inimitable, Surrealist pictures featuring skeletal, architectonic figures—merging humans, animals, foliage, totems and signs—which, though indecipherable, are instantly recognizable.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

Related Words

• emblem