totem

to·tem (t

a. An animal, plant, or natural object serving among certain tribal or traditional peoples as the emblem of a clan or family and sometimes revered as its founder, ancestor, or guardian.

b. A representation of such an object.

c. A social group having a common affiliation to such an object.

2. A venerated emblem or symbol: "grew up with the totems and taboos typical of an Irish Catholic kid in Boston" (Connie Paige).

[Ojibwa nindoodem, my totem.]

to·temic (-t

k) adj.

totem [ˈtəʊtəm]

1. (Social Science / Anthropology & Ethnology) (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. (Social Science / Anthropology & Ethnology) a representation of such an object

[from Ojibwa nintōtēm mark of my family]

totemic [təʊˈtɛmɪk] adj

totemically adv

to•tem (ˈtoʊ təm)

n.

1. a natural object or an animate being, as an animal or bird, assumed as the emblem of a clan, family, or group.

2. a representation of such an object or being serving as the distinctive mark of the clan or group.

3. anything serving as a distinctive, often venerated, emblem or symbol.

[1750–60, Amer.; < Ojibwa ninto·te·m my totem, oto·te·man his totem]

to•tem′ic (-ˈtɛm ɪk) adj.

Thesaurus Legend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	totem - a clan or tribe identified by their kinship to a common totemic object kin group, kindred, kinship group, clan, kin, tribe - group of people related by blood or marriage totemist - a person who belongs to a clan or tribe having a totem
	2.	totem - emblem consisting of an object such as an animal or plant; serves as the symbol of a family or clan (especially among American Indians) emblem - special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc. U.S.A., United States, United States of America, US, USA, America, the States, U.S. - North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

Translations

totem [ˈtəʊtəm]

A. N → tótem m

B. CPD totem pole N → tótem m

totem [ˈtəʊtəm] n

(= symbolic animal, plant) → totem m

(= important symbol) → icône f
totem pole n → mât m totémique

totem

n → Totem nt

totem [ˈtəʊtəm] n → totem m inv

totem (ˈtoutəm) noun

(an image of) an animal or plant used as the badge or sign of a tribe, among North American Indians etc.

totem pole

a large wooden pole on which totems are carved and painted.

Mentioned in	?		References in classic literature	?		Dictionary browser	?		Full browser	?
America belief clan column contemporary current emblem Fox Foxes foxing inexperience kin kin group kindred kinship group Loups low man modern modern-day	But, in the first place, New York was a metropolis, and perfectly aware that in metropolises it was "not the thing" to arrive early at the opera; and what was or was not "the thing" played a part as important in Newland Archer's New York as the inscrutable totem terrors that had ruled the destinies of his forefathers thousands of years ago. The Age of Innocence by Wharton, Edith View in context Of totem, I know not the meaning; but if it appertaineth in any wise to the art of Indian music, it need not be inquired after at their hands. The Last of The Mohicans by Cooper, James Fenimore View in context The white satin was darkened everywhere with big brown stains, the gold threads on the crowned harp were frayed and discoloured, and the Red Bull, the totem of the Mavericks, was coffee-hued. The Mutiny of the Mavericks by Kipling, Rudyard View in context	totaled Totalis Totalisator totalise totaliser totalism totalistic totalitarian totalitarian state totalitarianism totalitation regime totality Totalization totalizator totalize totalizer totally Totalness totaquine totara tote tote bag tote board tote up Totear totem totem pole totemic totemism Totemist Toter tother toti- totipalmate totipalmation Totipalmi totipotence totipotency totipotent Totipresence Totipresent totsiens Totten trust Tottenham totter Totterer tottering Totteringly tottery tottie totting	totaquine totara Totara tree totaras TOTB TOTBAL TOTBL TOTBT TOTC TOTCO Totd tote tote tote tote tote tote Tote a Note tote bag tote bags tote board Tote gote tote up tote up TOTE/VOTE TOTEA Totear toted toted TOTEF totem Totem animals Totem animals Totem animals Totem animals Totem Bight State Historical Park Totem myth Totem myth Totem myth Totem myth Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc Totem of Wrath totem pole totem pole totem pole Totem poles Totem poles Totem Town Community Garden Totem-poles Totem-poles totemic totemic totemic totemic totemic totemism totemism totemism totemism totemist totemist

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America
belief
clan
column
contemporary
current
emblem
Fox
Foxes
foxing
inexperience
kin
kin group
kindred
kinship group
Loups
low man
modern
modern-day

But, in the first place, New York was a metropolis, and perfectly aware that in metropolises it was "not the thing" to arrive early at the opera; and what was or was not "the thing" played a part as important in Newland Archer's New York as the inscrutable totem terrors that had ruled the destinies of his forefathers thousands of years ago.

The Age of Innocence by Wharton, Edith View in context

Of totem, I know not the meaning; but if it appertaineth in any wise to the art of Indian music, it need not be inquired after at their hands.

The Last of The Mohicans by Cooper, James Fenimore View in context

The white satin was darkened everywhere with big brown stains, the gold threads on the crowned harp were frayed and discoloured, and the Red Bull, the totem of the Mavericks, was coffee-hued.

The Mutiny of the Mavericks by Kipling, Rudyard View in context

totem playV2('en/US/d7/d7sfskssdtsjhr');playV2('en/UK/d7/d7sfskssdtsjhr')

totem