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Webster 1913 Edition


Teetotum

Tee-to′tum

,
Noun.
[For T-
totum
. It was used for playing games of chance, and was four-sided, one side having the letter T on it, standing for Latin
totum
all, meaning, take all that is staked, whence the name. The other three sides each had a letter indicating an English or Latin word; as P meaning put down, N nothing or L.
nil
, H half. See
Total
.]
A child’s toy, somewhat resembling a top, and twirled by the fingers.
The staggerings of the gentleman . . . were like those of a
teetotum
nearly spent.
Dickens.

Definition 2024


teetotum

teetotum

English

teetotum (sense 1)

Alternative forms

  • T-totum

Noun

teetotum (plural teetotums)

  1. (historical) A toy (spinning top) similar to a dreidel.

Etymology 2

Noun

teetotum (plural teetotums)

  1. (historical) A working men's club conducted under religious influences, as an alternative to drinking in the saloon.