totemism

(tōtəm iz′əm)

noun

  1. belief in totems and totemic relationships
  2. the use of totems to distinguish kin or descent groups
  3. social customs based on this

Related Forms:

See totemism in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A belief in totems or in kinship through common affiliation to a totem.
  2. The practice of establishing affiliation through totems.

Related Forms:

  • toˈtem·ist noun
  • toˌtem·isˈtic adjective

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