What does tótem mean?
Definitions for tótem
ˈtoʊ təmtótem
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word tótem.
Princeton's WordNet
totemnoun
a clan or tribe identified by their kinship to a common totemic object
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)
Wiktionary
totemnoun
Any natural object or living creature that serves as an emblem of a tribe, clan or family.
totemnoun
The representation of such object or creature.
totemnoun
The clan whose kinship is defined in reference to such an object or creature.
Etymology: from (o)doodem(an)
Wikipedia
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.
ChatGPT
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 Dictionary
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
Wikidata
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 Dictionary
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.]
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Anagrams for tótem »
motet
motte
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of tótem in Chaldean Numerology is: 8
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of tótem in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4
Examples of tótem in a Sentence
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.
You need to be up on that totem pole of priorities or else you’re not going to be the best mom possible.
Averageness is a quality we must put up with. Men march toward civilization in column formation, and by the time the van has learned to admire the masters the rear is drawing reluctantly away from the totem pole.
Former President Bill Clinton:
What it means is ‘I’ll give you an economy you had 50 years ago, and I’ll move you back up on the social totem pole and other people down,’.
It became clear from Steve Langdon research that the totem pole was a sacred object of cultural patrimony and we immediately decided the totem pole should be returned home.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for tótem
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- totemAfrikaans
- totemCzech
- totemDanish
- TotemGerman
- totemoEsperanto
- tótemSpanish
- tootemEstonian
- toteemiFinnish
- totemFrench
- トーテムJapanese
- ტოტემიGeorgian
- 토템Korean
- totemasLithuanian
- totemDutch
- totemPolish
- totemPortuguese
- totemRomanian
- тотемRussian
- totemSlovene
- sebokoSouthern Sotho
- totemTurkish
- vật tổ, tô-temVietnamese
- 图腾Chinese
Get even more translations for tótem »
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"tótem." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 14 Mar. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/t%C3%B3tem>.
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