a spinning top bearing letters of the alphabet on its four sides
2.
such a top used as a die in gambling games
Word origin
C18: from T totum, from T initial inscribed on one of the faces + totum the name of the toy, from Latin tōtum the whole
teetotum in American English
(tiˈtoʊtəm)
noun
a top spun with the fingers, esp. one with four lettered sides used in a game of chance
Word origin
earlier T totum < the T (for totum) marked on one side + totum, the name of the toy < L totum, neut. of totus (see total): the four sides were orig. marked T (totum, all) A (aufer, take), D (depone, put), N (nihil, nothing)