totemite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/LiteraryFormal, Anthropological, Literary
Quick answer
What does “totemite” mean?
A member of a group who worships or identifies with a totem.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a group who worships or identifies with a totem; one who practices totemism.
Someone who adheres to, or is defined by, a symbolic emblem representing their clan, family, or group identity, sometimes extended metaphorically to describe intense devotion to a symbol or ideal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both varieties. No significant spelling or grammatical differences.
Connotations
Neutral anthropological term in both, though may carry a slightly archaic or literary tone.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpora, slightly more likely in British anthropological texts from the early 20th century.
Grammar
How to Use “totemite” in a Sentence
[totemite] of [clan/tribe][adjective] totemiteVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “totemite” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This practice is what truly totemites a community, binding them to their ancestral emblem.
American English
- The ritual totemites the initiates, formally linking them to the clan's animal spirit.
adverb
British English
- The clan lived totemitely, structuring all their social relations around the bear.
American English
- They acted totemitely, always deferring to the symbolism of their shared emblem.
adjective
British English
- The totemite traditions were carefully recorded by the Victorian ethnographer.
American English
- Their totemite society had complex rules governing marriage between different animal groups.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in anthropology, religious studies, or history texts to describe specific cultural practices.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Specific to anthropology; denotes a person within a totemic social system.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “totemite”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “totemite”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “totemite”
- Misspelling as 'totemate' or 'totimite'.
- Using it as a synonym for any 'fan' or 'enthusiast' in modern contexts, which is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, specialised term used mainly in anthropology and historical writing.
No, that would be a metaphorical extension not recognised in standard usage. Use 'fanatic' or 'devotee' instead.
They are often synonyms. 'Totemite' slightly emphasises membership in a group, while 'totemist' emphasises practice of the belief system.
In British English: /ˈtəʊtəmaɪt/ (TOH-tuh-myte). In American English: /ˈtoʊtəmaɪt/ (TOH-tuh-myte).
A member of a group who worships or identifies with a totem.
Totemite is usually formal, anthropological, literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TOTE' a MITE (a small creature). A 'totemite' is like a small part of a larger totem-identified group.
Conceptual Metaphor
GROUP IDENTITY IS A SHARED SYMBOL (The totem is the symbolic 'flag' under which the totemites unite).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'totemite' primarily used?