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.

Other Word Forms

• totemically adverb
• totemic adjective
• subtotem 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

“I was the low man on that totem pole,” Reid said.

From Los Angeles Times

The Stockport-born player emerged so quickly and came into a team struggling so often, he was almost a totem.

From BBC

McTominay - Manchester United fans, look away now - has been the totem for the locals in Naples who sang his name in the streets as their team claimed the Serie A title.

From BBC

The resurgent Wallabies, driven on ferociously by Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, their returning totems, shocked the Lions to their very core in surging into that huge lead.

From BBC

More often than not, the things the gang cooks, markets or consumes are totems of their most earnest, if wildly misdirected, ambitions.

From Salon

Related Words

• emblem