totem

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtəʊtəm/

noun

  • a natural object or animal that is believed by a particular society to have spiritual significance and that is adopted by it as an emblem.

Derivatives

totemic

Pronunciation: /-ˈtɛmɪk/
adjective

totemism

noun

totemist

noun

totemistic

Pronunciation: /-ˈmɪstɪk/
adjective

Origin:

mid 18th century: from Ojibwa nindoodem 'my totem'