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totem Definition

to·tem (tōtəm)

noun

  1. among some peoples, an animal or natural object considered as being ancestrally related to a given kin or descent group and taken as its symbol
  2. an image of this
  3. a symbol, esp. one held in high regard

Etymology: < an Algonquian language: cf. Ojibwa nindoodeem, my totem

totem Related Forms

to·temic (tō temik) adjective

totem Synonyms

totem

n.

totem Usage Examples

Preposition: of

tribe: Among the Gaelic peoples it was a powerful totem of many tribes.

Converse of object

  • become: But however much they've become totems of cool, they could be cooler still.
  • have: The Aborigines were divided into clans; each clan had a totem to identify itself by.
  • build: There are two ways to build totems, from the top or from the bottom.
  • make: Opening times: Please ring for appointment This year, alongside my raku work and tiles, I started making totems.

Adjective modifier

  • animal: Each figure appears with an animal totem at his feet.
  • tribal: The pole displayed the tribal totem at the top.
  • powerful: Among the Gaelic peoples it was a powerful totem of many tribes.
  • political: And look what happened to the foxhunting Bill: a political totem that made too many people too angry over absolutely bugger all.

Modifies a noun

  • pole: In front of the building on the extreme left, a 32 ft high Canadian totem pole can be glimpsed through the trees.
  • animal: The priest may use a bonus dice in all attempts to interact with their totem animal.
  • sign: Once you have parked, follow the totem signs to the Center.
  • Pole: Totem Poles are a characteristic feature of Pacific coast Indian Art.
  • meal: We celebrate our worship and our guilt in " totem meals " .

Noun used with modifier

  • animal: The Beast Gods The nomadic tribesmen of the Northern Wastes worship animal totems, which differ between tribes.
  • clan: These were surely at one time clan totems, if not the power animals which guarded and guided the people of each group.
  • worship: The Beast Gods The nomadic tribesmen of the Northern Wastes worship animal totems, which differ between tribes.
  • laboratory: The electron microscope made this possible by playing the role of a " laboratory totem " for a growing tribe of molecular biologists.
  • stone: Carve your own piece of a stone beach totem pole - learn how to use stone carving tools using special ' soft blocks ' .