totem

[ toh-tuhm ]

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.

totem

/ 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

totem

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.

Derived Forms

• toˈtemically, adverb
• totemic, adjective

Other Words From

• to·tem·ic [toh-, tem, -ik], adjective
• sub·to·tem noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of totem¹

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”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of totem¹

C18: from Ojibwa nintōtēm mark of my family

Idioms and Phrases

see low man on the totem pole .

Example Sentences

Politically, we live in volatile times, which makes the hair-trigger Trump a perfect totem for our unpredictable age.

From Los Angeles Times

In that way, like other fake populist and charismatic leaders, Trump is a symbol, totem, and hero who they can live through vicariously.

From Salon

It is true that every presidential candidate becomes, to some extent, a symbol or totem.

From Salon

What Lévi-Strauss concluded about totems can be applied to dioramas, too.

From Los Angeles Times

The two-child limit, which affects Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit, has become a totem of this campaign.

From BBC

Related Words

• emblem