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

When I see Oliona back at her flat she brings out a tome of Pushkin.

From The Daily Beast

The 468-page tome purports to be a definitive account of the comedian's life and career.

From The Daily Beast

He had some help, too—the entire cast and crew of The Princess Bride contributed cherished memories to the tome.

From The Daily Beast

David Foster Wallace even named a chapter in his tome Brief Interviews with Hideous Men “Signifying Nothing.”

From The Daily Beast

Franco optioned the tome back in March 2011, and will star and direct the flick.

From The Daily Beast

They presented to the amused officer an enormous MS. tome of Church services!

From Project Gutenberg

It was translated into Latin by Theodorus Schrivelius, and printed in the third tome of his theological works.

From Project Gutenberg

When they rested in a tree on the other shore, Chow Soo Tome crept from under the wing and climbed down the tree.

From Project Gutenberg

The ape pitied him and sought to aid him, and what food he had or found he shared with Chow Soo Tome gladly.

From Project Gutenberg

Through forest, over mountains and across plains toiled Chow Soo Tome patiently.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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

Words That Use -tome

What does -tome mean?

The combining form -tome is used like a suffix to mean “cutting instrument” as well as a “segment, somite.” A somite is a scientific term designating body segments in animals like worms or segments of a developing embryo.

The form –tome is used in some scientific and medical terms, especially in anatomy and surgery. It comes from the Greek tomḗ, meaning “a cutting,” and tómos, “a cut, slice.”

The Greek root tómos, which can also mean “piece, roll of paper, or book,” is also the source of the word tome. Crack open the history of tome at our entry for the word. Also related to tómos is atom. What’s the big idea behind atoms and cutting? Find out in our Origin section for this term.

Related to -tome are the combining forms -ectomy, -tomous, -tomy, and tomo-. Slice into their specific meanings at our Words That Use articles for the forms.

Examples of -tome

A medical term that features the combining form -tome is osteotome, a surgical tool used for cutting or dividing bone.

The first part of the word, osteo-, means “bone.” The form -tome denotes “cutting instrument,” as we’ve learned. Osteotome, then, literally translates to “bone-cutting instrument.” Eek!

What are some words that use the combining form -tome?

• dermatome
• histotome
• microtome
• myotome
• phlebotome
• thyrotome

What are some other forms that -tome may be commonly confused with?

• -stome
• -stomy
• -stomous
• -ton

Break it down!

The combining form micro- means “small.” A microtome is an instrument used to cut what sized objects, generally speaking?