tot

/tɑt/

/tɒt/

Other forms: tots; totted; totting

A tot is a small child, like the tots at your little sister's nursery school. Tater tots, or little bitty potato puffs, are another kind of tot.

The origin of the noun tot is a little unclear, although we know it first appeared in the 18th century. It was also common in the early 20th century to refer to children's playgrounds as tot lots. As a verb, tot is an old-fashioned way to say "add," a shortened form of total. So your waiter might say, "I'll be right back with your check as soon as I tot everything up!"

Definitions of tot

1. noun

   a young child
   synonyms: bambino, toddler, yearling

   type of:

   child, fry, kid, minor, nestling, nipper, shaver, small fry, tiddler, tike, tyke, youngster

   a young person of either sex
2. noun

   a small amount (especially of a drink)
   type of:

   small indefinite amount, small indefinite quantity

   an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude
3. verb

   determine the sum of
   synonyms: add, add together, add up, sum, sum up, summate, tally, tot up, total, tote up

   add, add together

   make an addition by combining numbers

   type of:

   count, enumerate, number, numerate

   determine the number or amount of