tome

¹

[ tohm ]

noun

1. a book, especially a very heavy, large, or learned book.
2. a volume forming a part of a larger work.

-tome

²

1. a combining form with the meanings “cutting instrument” ( microtome; osteotome ), “segment, somite” ( sclerotome ), used in the formation of compound words.

tome

¹

/ təʊm /

noun

1. a large weighty book
2. one of the several volumes of a work

-tome

²

combining form

1. indicating an instrument for cutting

   osteotome

Word History and Origins

Origin of tome¹

First recorded in 1510–20; from French, from Latin tomus, from Greek tómos “slice, piece, roll of paper, book,” akin to témnein “to cut”

Origin of tome²

Combining form representing Greek tomḗ a cutting; tómos a cut, slice; -tomon (neuter), -tomos (masculine) -cutting (adj.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of tome¹

C16: from French, from Latin tomus section of larger work, from Greek tomos a slice, from temnein to cut; related to Latin tondēre to shear

Origin of tome²

from Greek tomē a cutting, tomos a slice, from temnein to cut

Example Sentences

The Gourmand also has a Taschen tome on the egg.

From Los Angeles Times

If, after flipping through this gorgeous tome you find yourself ready to sell everything you own and start from scratch as a high-end minimalist, who could blame you?

From Los Angeles Times

The wellness tome consists of tenets the elder Williams sister has gleaned over the course of her impressive 30-year career.

From Los Angeles Times

Couto is well-known throughout the Portuguese-speaking world - Angola, Cape Verde, and Sao Tome in Africa, as well as Brazil and Portugal.

From BBC

Vilda was replaced by his former assistant Montse Tome, who became Spain's first female head coach, and she led the team to victory in the Nations League at the first attempt, beating France in February.

From BBC

Related Words

• magnum opus
• novel
• opus
• publication
• reference book
• textbook