totem

[ toh-tuh m ]
/ ˈtoʊ təm /

noun

a natural object or an animate being, as an animal or bird, assumed as the emblem of a clan, family, or group.
an object or natural phenomenon with which a family or sib considers itself closely related.
a representation of such an object serving as the distinctive mark of the clan or group.
anything serving as a distinctive, often venerated, emblem or symbol.

Origin of totem

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)

OTHER WORDS FROM totem

to·tem·ic [toh-tem-ik] /toʊˈtɛm ɪk/, adjective to·tem·i·cal·ly, adverb sub·to·tem, noun sub·to·tem·ic, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for totem

British Dictionary definitions for totem

totem
/ (ˈtəʊtəm) /

noun

(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
a representation of such an object

Derived forms of totem

totemic (təʊˈtɛmɪk), adjective totemically, adverb

Word Origin for totem

C18: from Ojibwa nintōtēm mark of my family

Cultural definitions for totem

totem

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 totem

totem

see low man on the totem pole.