totem

noun

to·tem ˈtō-təm How to pronounce totem (audio)

: 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

: a family or clan identified by a common totemic object

: one that serves as an emblem or revered symbol

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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 (meaning "his totem"), which became our word totem. In its most specific sense, totem refers to an emblematic depiction of an animal or plant that gives a family or clan its name and that often serves as a reminder of its ancestry. The term is also used broadly for any person or thing 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.

Example Sentences

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 Our group gathered at the base of the pole and listened to Falen Mills, a member of Kake’s Tlingit community, sing traditional songs and explain the cultural importance of totem poles to the Tlingit people.

Dan Fellner, The Arizona Republic, 26 Aug. 2022 As might be expected, Hope leaned into the Alaska cliches, including totem poles, weather, gold mining and dog sleds, for jokes.

David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Aug. 2022 Either way, the song’s meta trick—a woman writes a catchy tune about being unwilling to write a catchy tune about love—gave the song permission to succeed both as protest anthem and marketable totem.

D. T. Max, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2022 The Warrens discover that the curse stems from a witch's totem and was summoned by a satanic worshipper.

Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 15 Sep. 2021 No flags or totem poles, chairs, hammocks or inflatable couches.

Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2022 The real contradiction in the polling is Roe, which has become a totem that doesn’t reflect the underlying policy views.

The Editorial Board, WSJ, 9 June 2022 Guided by an idiosyncratic totem, in Miky Lee, CJ ENM has succeeded in that endeavor by trusting auteurs and attuning itself to the high standards demanded by Korean local audiences.

Patrick Frater, Variety, 29 May 2022 First up is the courage totem, which proves to be more difficult to wrangle than expected.

Chancellor Agard, EW.com, 27 Sep. 2021 See More

单词	totems
释义	totem noun to·tem ˈtō-təm 1 a : 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 Did you know? 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 (meaning "his totem"), which became our word totem. In its most specific sense, totem refers to an emblematic depiction of an animal or plant that gives a family or clan its name and that often serves as a reminder of its ancestry. The term is also used broadly for any person or thing 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. Synonyms emblem ensign hallmark impresa logo symbol trademark See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences 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 Our group gathered at the base of the pole and listened to Falen Mills, a member of Kake’s Tlingit community, sing traditional songs and explain the cultural importance of totem poles to the Tlingit people. Dan Fellner, The Arizona Republic, 26 Aug. 2022 As might be expected, Hope leaned into the Alaska cliches, including totem poles, weather, gold mining and dog sleds, for jokes. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Aug. 2022 Either way, the song’s meta trick—a woman writes a catchy tune about being unwilling to write a catchy tune about love—gave the song permission to succeed both as protest anthem and marketable totem. D. T. Max, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2022 The Warrens discover that the curse stems from a witch's totem and was summoned by a satanic worshipper. Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 15 Sep. 2021 No flags or totem poles, chairs, hammocks or inflatable couches. Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2022 The real contradiction in the polling is Roe, which has become a totem that doesn’t reflect the underlying policy views. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 9 June 2022 Guided by an idiosyncratic totem, in Miky Lee, CJ ENM has succeeded in that endeavor by trusting auteurs and attuning itself to the high standards demanded by Korean local audiences. Patrick Frater, Variety, 29 May 2022 First up is the courage totem, which proves to be more difficult to wrangle than expected. Chancellor Agard, EW.com, 27 Sep. 2021 See More Word History Etymology Ojibwa oto·te·man his totem First Known Use 1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Phrases Containing totem low man on the totem pole totem pole low man on the totem pole totem pole Kids Definition totem noun to·tem ˈtō-təm 1 : an object (as an animal or plant) serving as the emblem of a family or clan 2 : a carving or picture representing such an object totems noun plural of totem as in symbols a device, design, or figure used as an identifying mark the bald eagle, that universally recognized totem of our country Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance symbols emblems logos trademarks hallmarks ensigns attributes icons pictographs badges insignia impresas insignias logograms crests tokens ikons logographs monograms stamps cognizances colophons coats of arms
随便看	mandatory mandatum Mandaya mandayas Mande mandeans Mandeism Mandel Mandela mandelamines Mandelbrot Mandelbrot set mandes mandevillae mandevillas Mandeville mandible mandibles mandibul- mandibulae mandibular creature comfort creature comforts creature of habit creaturehood

totem

noun

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Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing totem

Kids Definition

noun

noun