totem

[toh-tuh m] /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 with which a family or sib considers itself closely related.
3.
a representation of such an object serving as the distinctive mark of the clan or group.
4.
anything serving as a distinctive, often venerated, emblem or symbol.
Origin
1750-60, Americanism; < Ojibwa ninto·te·m my totem, oto·te·man his totem (probably orig. my clan-village-mate, derivative of stem o·te·- dwell in or as a village; compare o·te·na village)
Related forms
totemic
[toh-tem-ik] /toʊˈtɛm ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
totemically, adverb
subtotem, noun
subtotemic, adjective
Examples from the web for totems
  • These artifacts include items such as totems, art and carvings.
  • Additionally they may serve as totems for families or other groups.
  • AS totems go, a doctor's white coat is a real bargain.
  • These are of course spirits, totems and other apparitions which are common to indigenous people.
  • Now, many of those totems still lean against office walls, un-hung.
  • They are railing against the twin totems of truth and technology.
  • These two totems of right-wing thought have totally humiliated themselves.
  • Every painted lodge reflected a harmony with the surrounding environment even when individual themes and totems predominated.
  • On the contrary, they represent personal or clan totems and have important spiritual symbolism.
  • The boxes or poles were marked with totems to which tools or other necessary items were attached.
British Dictionary definitions for totems

totem

/ˈtəʊtəm/
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
Derived Forms
totemic (təʊˈtɛmɪk) adjective
totemically, adverb
Word Origin
C18: from Ojibwa nintōtēm mark of my family
Word Origin and History for totems

totem

n.

animal or natural object considered as the emblem of a family or clan, 1760, from Algonquian (probably Ojibwa) odoodeman "his sibling kin, his group or family," hence, "his family mark;" also attested in French c.1600 in form aoutem among the Micmacs or other Indians of Nova Scotia. Totem pole is 1808, in reference to west coast Canadian Indians.

totems in Culture

totem definition


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.

Idioms and Phrases with totems

totem

see: low man on the totem pole