totem

Etymology

From Ojibwe (o)doodem(an).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈtoʊtəm/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈtəʊtəm/
• Hyphenation: to‧tem

Noun

totem (plural totems)

1. Any natural object or living creature that serves as an emblem of a tribe, clan or family.
2. The representation of such object or creature.
3. The clan whose kinship is defined in reference to such an object or creature.
   • 1921, Wilhelm Max Wundt, Edward Leroy Schaub, Elements of folk psychology: outlines of a psychological history:

     The totem members were forbidden to eat the flesh of the totem animal, or were allowed to do so only under specific conditions.

   • 2014, Michael Pomedli, Living with Animals: Ojibwe Spirit Powers, page 165:

     These meanings flow from bear-like characteristics imprinted on totem members. Members of the bear clan may have dispositional, cognitive, and physical capabilities similar to those of bear.

4. An arbitrarily chosen object serving as a reminder to check whether one is awake or not, to aid in having lucid dreams.
   • 2010, "ren", Inception and Lucid Dreaming (on newsgroup alt.religion.wicca)

     The best way to determine if you are dreaming or not is to have a totem in your lucid dreams that does not exist in reality. Inducing yourself is as easy as waking up during the night and practicing as you fall back asleep. Say, "I will be aware I am dreaming while I am dreaming by seeing my totem."

Anagrams

• motet, motte

Pronunciation

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

totem m (plural totems, diminutive totempje n)

1. totem, object that signifies a kinship group
2. totem, physical representation of a kinship symbol

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /tɔ.tɛm/

Noun

totem m (plural totems)

1. totem

Adjective

totem

1. inflected form of tot

Etymology

Borrowed from English totem, from Ojibwe (o)doodem(an).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtɔ.tem/, [ˈt̪ɔːt̪em]
• Hyphenation: tò‧tem

Noun

totem m (invariable)

1. totem

Anagrams

• metto

Etymology

Borrowed from English totem, from Ojibwe (o)doodem(an).

Pronunciation

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /ˈtɔ.tẽj̃/

Noun

totem m (plural totens)

1. totem (object or creature that serves as an emblem of a tribe, clan or family)
2. totem pole (Native American sculpture made by carving trees)

Etymology

From Ojibwe (o)doodem(an).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /tǒteːm/
• Hyphenation: to‧tem

Noun

tòtēm m (Cyrillic spelling то̀те̄м)

1. totem

Etymology

Borrowed from French totem, From Ojibwe (o)doodem(an).

Noun

totem (definite accusative totemi, plural totemler)

1. (religion) totem