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

In the early 1900s, the conservationist and anthropologist Madison Grant, who helped establish Glacier National Park and the Bronx Zoo, wrote pseudoscientific tomes about the coming extinction of white people.

From Salon

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

We can request however many Faulkeresque tomes we want, specifying the length and topic of each one.

From Salon

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

In fact, one report showed that 31 of 38 authors and editors of the 900-page tome had been on Trump's team at one time or continue to be.

From Salon

Related Words

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