totem

An animal, plant, or natural object representing a family or group, or an image of it.

• The eagle is their clan’s totem.
• A carved totem stood outside the house.
• Each family used a different animal as its totem.

Similar words: emblem

Common phrases: clan totem, animal totem, carved totem

A person or thing that strongly represents a particular idea or quality.

• The tower became a totem of national pride.
• For young artists, she was a totem of freedom.
• The old factory remains a powerful totem of industrial success.

How to use it: totem of something (The monument became a totem of hope.)

Similar words: symbol, embodiment, personification

Common phrases: totem of freedom, national totem, political totem

A group of related people whose shared identity is connected to a particular animal, plant, or natural object.

• She belonged to the bear totem.
• Members of the eagle totem gathered for the ceremony.
• The two totems followed different marriage customs.

Similar words: clan

Common phrases: bear totem, eagle totem, join a totem

An object you use to check whether you are awake or dreaming.

• She checks her totem to see if she is dreaming.
• He chose a small coin as his totem.
• The totem reminded me to question whether I was awake.

Common phrases: check your totem, use a totem