totem

totem

Animal, plante ou objet naturel représentant une famille ou un groupe, ou son image.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : emblem

Expressions courantes : clan totem, animal totem, carved totem

symbole, emblème

Personne ou chose qui représente fortement une idée ou une qualité particulière.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : totem of something (The monument became a totem of hope.)

Synonymes : symbol, embodiment, personification

Expressions courantes : totem of freedom, national totem, political totem

clan totémique

Groupe de personnes apparentées dont l’identité commune est liée à un animal, une plante ou un objet naturel.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : clan

Expressions courantes : bear totem, eagle totem, join a totem

totem

Objet utilisé pour vérifier si l’on est éveillé ou en train de rêver.

En anglais simple : 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.

Expressions courantes : check your totem, use a totem