tome

¹ American  

[tohm] / toʊm /

noun

1. a book, especially a very heavy, large, or learned book.

2. a volume forming a part of a larger work.

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-tome ² American  

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

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tome ¹ British  

/ təʊm /

noun

1. a large weighty book

2. one of the several volumes of a work

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-tome ² British  

combining form

1. indicating an instrument for cutting

   osteotome

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Usage

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.

Etymology

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.)

Example Sentences

Artificial intelligence is becoming a vital utility for anyone analyzing dense securities filings, making quick work of once-impenetrable tomes.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Bulldog’s chief delight at the Beje, after talking with Father, were the tomes of Jewish theology now housed in Tante Jans’s big mahogany case.

From Literature

The Berkshire proxy is readable and runs less than 20 pages and compares with the 100-plus page tomes that most big companies issue.

From Barron's

It’s a peculiarly hefty tome if you buy Sellers’s own oft-repeated claim that he had no personality of his own.

From The Wall Street Journal

For historians and rubbernecking readers alike, “All the President’s Men” would be a necessary tome, a how-to on exposing corruption.

From Salon

Related Words

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