ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tome

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈtoʊm// UK //tˈəʊm// tome

n. a very large, heavy, and serious book. You usually use this word for books that look important or contain a lot of information.

n. a large, heavy, or scholarly book, especially one forming part of a multi-volume work. Often carries a connotation of being physically imposing or intellectually dense.


SIMPLE

She pulled a dusty tome from the top shelf.

CONTEXTUAL

The professor spent years researching the history of the region before finally publishing a massive tome on the subject.

COMPLEX

While digital archives offer convenience, there is a certain tactile satisfaction in navigating a leather-bound tome that has survived centuries of handling by scholars and collectors alike.

Origin

From Middle French tome, from Latin tomus (“section of larger work”), from Ancient Greek τόμος (tómos, “section, roll of papyrus, volume”), from τέμνω (témnō, “I cut, separate”).

Usage

Often used with adjectives like 'massive', 'dusty', or 'scholarly' to emphasize the book's physical or intellectual weight.

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