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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for totem
The first known use of totem was in 1791
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