Crossword Genius

Symbol the Egyptians initially found in cat? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

totem

'symbol' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'the egyptians initially found in cat?' is the wordplay.
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
'found in' is an insertion indicator.
'cat?' becomes 'tom' (a tom is a male cat).
The first letters of 'the egyptians' is 'te'.
'te' inserted inside 'tom' is 'TOTEM'.

(Other definitions for totem that I've seen before include "Symbol, emblem" , "Animal as emblem" , "This pole is carved and painted by N American Indians" , "Primitive object of worship" , "emblem of tribe?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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