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Dictionary


to•tem



Pronunciation: (tō'tum), [key]
—n.
1. a natural object or an animate being, as an animal or bird, assumed as the emblem of a clan, family, or group.
2. an object or natural phenomenon with which a family or sib considers itself closely related.
3. a representation of such an object serving as the distinctive mark of the clan or group.
4. anything serving as a distinctive, often venerated, emblem or symbol.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

tote boxtotemism
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