Category:Teetotum

Tee*to"tum, n. Etym: [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.]

Defn: 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.