Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small conical toy that spins on a point: A "teetotum" is a traditional children's toy, typically made of wood or another material, shaped like a top with a pointed metal tip. It is set into a spinning motion by twisting it between the fingers or pulling a string wound around it.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The antique shop had a beautifully carved wooden teetotum among its collection of old toys.
  • Children in the 19th century often played games of chance using a numbered teetotum instead of dice.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Cultural Context: In the past, a teetotum was sometimes used in board games as a random number generator. Its sides were often marked with letters or numbers, and the result of a spin would determine a player's move, similar to rolling dice.
  • The game instructions called for a spin of the teetotum to see how many spaces to advance.

Variants and Related Words

• Top (n): A more common, general term for any spinning toy. A teetotum is a specific type of top.
  • The child spun the top on the smooth floor.

Synonyms

• Spinning top: A descriptive synonym for a toy that spins on a point.
• Whirligig: An old-fashioned word for a spinning toy or object.

Related Idioms

• Like a teetotum: Spinning very rapidly or being in a state of dizzying motion or confusion.
  • The news sent my head spinning like a teetotum.

Noun

1. a conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin
   • he got a bright red top and string for his birthday