totem
UK /ˈtəʊtəm/ · US /ˈtoʊtəm/ noun
Forms totems
- noun Any natural object or living creature that serves as an emblem of a tribe, clan or family; the representation of such an object or creature.
- noun The clan whose kinship is defined in reference to such an object or creature.
- noun (figuratively) A symbol or personification.
- noun An arbitrarily chosen object serving as a reminder to check whether one is awake or not, to aid in having lucid dreams.
- noun A tall object resembling a totem pole.
Etymology
Borrowed from Ojibwe (o)doodem(an).
Webster’s 1913
- noun A rude picture, as of a bird, beast, or the like, used by the Nord American Indians as a symbolic designation, as of a family or a clan.
Etymology [Massachusetts Indian wutohtimoin that to which a person or place belongs.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “totem”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details