tome
- 01 C2 Proficiency
a very large, thick, or heavy book, usually one that is serious or academic.
a large, heavy, or scholarly book. Often used to imply the work is physically imposing or intellectually dense.
Simple“He pulled a dusty, leather-bound tome from the top shelf of the library.”
In context“The professor spent decades compiling his research into a massive tome that few students had the stamina to read in its entirety.”
UsageUsually used as a countable noun.
Teacher's tipThis word is often used with a touch of irony to describe a book that is unnecessarily long or difficult to carry.
Synonyms - 02 C2 Proficiency
one specific book in a series of several related books.
one volume of a larger work consisting of several volumes. This sense reflects the word's etymological roots meaning 'a cutting' or 'section'.
Simple“The first tome of the encyclopedia covers everything from A to C.”
In context“The historian consulted the third tome of the series to verify the dates of the late medieval treaties.”
UsageIn modern English, 'volume' is almost always preferred for this meaning.
Synonyms
“What if the challenging complexity and political engagement of his tomes are exactly what’s needed?”
“Secondhand booksellers in the UK and Ireland are reporting a flurry of bulk orders from mystery buyers, amid speculation AI companies are acquiring the tomes for their data.”
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.