totem

noun

to·tem | \ ˈtō-təm

Definition of totem

1a : an object (such as an animal or plant) serving as the emblem of a family or clan and often as a reminder of its ancestry also : a usually carved or painted representation of such an object

b : a family or clan identified by a common totemic object

2 : one that serves as an emblem or revered symbol

Synonyms Totem Has Roots in an Algonquian Language Example Sentences Learn More about totem

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Totem Has Roots in an Algonquian Language

Totem comes to us from Ojibwa, an Algonquian language spoken by an American Indian people from the regions around Lake Superior. The most basic form of the word in Ojibwa is believed to be "ote," but 18th-century English speakers encountered it as "ototeman" ("his totem"), which became our word totem. In its most specific sense, "totem" refers to to an emblematic depiction of something (such as an animal, plant, or supernatural being) gives a family or tribe its name and that often serves as a reminder of its ancestry. The term is also used broadly for any thing or person having particular emblematic or symbolic importance. The related adjective "totemic" describes something that serves as a totem, that depicts totems ("totemic basketry," for example), or that has the nature of a totem.

Examples of totem in a Sentence

Private jets are a totem of success among extremely wealthy people. the bald eagle, that universally recognized totem of our country

Recent Examples on the Web

The sparkly glove is, of course, a Jackson signifier and a small totem of his giant, starry, untouchable persona. — Brooke Bobb, Vogue, "The Invite to the Louis Vuitton Men’s Show Is a Sparkly Michael Jackson Glove," 15 Jan. 2019 The system measures the magnetic intensity of each coil, relating to the totem, to determine its distance and orientation, as opposed to a Wii- or smartphone-like combination of accelerometer and gyroscope. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "iFixit dissects the $2,299 Magic Leap One so you don’t have to," 23 Aug. 2018 Thanks to Gareth Southgate, the team’s manager, the waistcoat has become the unexpected symbol of England’s unexpected success; a totem of the power of a dream; and evidence that dedication and belief can unite not just a team, but also a country. — New York Times, "How Gareth Southgate Made the Waistcoat a Surprise World Cup M.V.P.," 13 July 2018 But with a new Los Angeles showroom, Farrow & Ball hopes to change that, one totem at a time. — Asad Syrkett, Curbed, "Can Farrow & Ball’s new LA showroom change what people think of paint stores?," 30 Nov. 2018 The three of us pile out of the truck in a fantastical spot, a deep canyon where erosion has turned the red-tinged canyon walls into totems. — Jason Harper, Condé Nast Traveler, "On the Hunt for Dinosaur Bones in the Gobi Desert," 20 July 2018 Jewels and art always make for better visual movie totems than mere cash. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, "Could Ocean’s 8 Mark the Return of the Great Glam Caper?," 3 May 2018 The dolls loomed large as objects of beauty and as totems of the past. — Meryl Gordon, Town & Country, "The Curious Life and Shocking Death of Huguette Clark," 21 May 2014 We’re seated in his office, which is dark and cool and full of totems from his wide-ranging career. — Mickey Rapkin, Town & Country, "The Horror of Jason Blum," 17 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'totem.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.