tom-tom
[ tom-tom ]
/ ˈtɒmˌtɒm /
noun
a drum of American Indian or Asian origin, commonly played with the hands.
a dully repetitious drumbeat or similar sound.
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Also tam-tam.
Origin of tom-tom
First recorded in 1685–95, tom-tom is from the Hindi word ṭamṭam
Words nearby tom-tom
Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of, Tomsk, tomtate, Tom Thumb, tomtit, tom-tom, -tomy, to my mind, ton, tonal, tonalist
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for tom-tom
British Dictionary definitions for tom-tom
tom-tom
noun
a drum associated either with the American Indians or with Eastern cultures, usually beaten with the hands as a signalling instrument
a standard cylindrical drum, normally with one drumhead
a monotonous drumming or beating sound
verb -toms, -tomming or -tommed
(tr) informal to pass (information, esp gossip) around a community very quickly
Word Origin for tom-tom
C17: from Hindi tamtam, of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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