Definitions for totem
ˈtoʊ təmtotem

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. totemnoun

   a clan or tribe identified by their kinship to a common totemic object

2. totemnoun

   emblem consisting of an object such as an animal or plant; serves as the symbol of a family or clan (especially among American Indians)

WiktionaryRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. totemnoun

   Any natural object or living creature that serves as an emblem of a tribe, clan or family.

2. totemnoun

   The representation of such object or creature.

3. totemnoun

   The clan whose kinship is defined in reference to such an object or creature.

4. Etymology: from (o)doodem(an)

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Totem

   A totem (from Ojibwe: ᑑᑌᒼ or ᑑᑌᒻ doodem) is a spirit being, sacred object, or symbol that serves as an emblem of a group of people, such as a family, clan, lineage, or tribe, such as in the Anishinaabe clan system.While the word totem itself is an anglicisation of the Ojibwe term (and both the word and beliefs associated with it are part of the Ojibwe language and culture), belief in tutelary spirits and deities is not limited to the Ojibwe people. Similar concepts, under differing names and with variations in beliefs and practices, may be found in a number of cultures worldwide. The term has also been adopted, and at times redefined, by anthropologists and philosophers of different cultures. Contemporary neoshamanic, New Age, and mythopoetic men's movements not otherwise involved in the practice of a traditional, tribal religion have been known to use "totem" terminology for the personal identification with a tutelary spirit or spirit guide. However, this can be seen as cultural misappropriation.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. totem

   A totem is a natural object, animal, or plant that is often associated with a specific social group, such as a tribe or clan, and serves as an emblem or symbol for that group, often demonstrating ancestry or spiritual connection. It may also refer to a carved or painted representation of such an object. Totems hold a great deal of symbolic and religious significance in many cultures, particularly amongst indigenous groups.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Totemnoun

   a rude picture, as of a bird, beast, or the like, used by the North American Indians as a symbolic designation, as of a family or a clan

WikidataRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. Totem

   Totem is a media player for the GNOME computer desktop environment which runs on GNU/Linux, Solaris, BSD and other Unix and Unix-like systems. It is officially included in GNOME starting from version 2.10, but de facto it was already included in most GNOME environments. Totem utilizes the GStreamer framework for playback, though until version 2.27.1, it could alternatively be configured to use the Xine libraries instead of GStreamer. Totem is included as the default media player in many GNU/Linux operating systems, including Ubuntu, Mandriva and others. Released under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License, Totem is free software.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Totem

   tō′tem, n. a natural object, not an individual but one of a class, taken by a tribe, a family, or a single person, and treated with superstitious respect as an outward symbol of an existing intimate unseen relation.—adj. Totem′ic.—ns. Tō′temism, the use of totems as the foundation of a vast social system of alternate obligation and restriction; Tō′temist, one designated by a totem.—adj. Tō′temistic. [Algonquin otem, which must be preceded by the personal article, as kitotem=the family-mark, nind-otem=my family-mark.]

Matched Categories

1. • Emblem
   • Kin

Anagrams for totem »

1. motet

2. motte

How to pronounce totem?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say totem in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of totem in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of totem in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of totem in a Sentence

1. Prince Charles:

   I think Prince Charles would be flexible because the core focus would be on William and his family, and Meghan and Harry are further down the totem pole.

2. Judith LeBlanc:

   The Lummi Carvers are offering their totem pole as a way to gather the prayers and hopes of many different tribal nations, to bring people together and help each area and tribal nation understand they are not alone, that collectively, by building and utilizing the power of our prayers and our beliefs and our hopes and our organizing, we are able to make transformational change happen.

3. Jewell James:

   There's a story to be told, and like all stories, there are many plots tied to it, if you can understand all the plots, then you understand the message of the totem pole.

4. Marco Pallanti:

   Michelangelo chose (to install his work in) the cellar. He built something that is for us like a totem. When you enter, when you arrive, you see this is like a god to protect our work.

5. Elizabeth Lombardo:

   You need to be up on that totem pole of priorities or else you’re not going to be the best mom possible.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=totem
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Totem
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totem
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=totem
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=totem