Tom
Pronunciation
- British IPA: /tÉ’m/
- US IPA: /tɑm/
- Rhymes: -É’m
Origin 1
From generic use of the proper name Tom.
Full definition of tom
Noun
tom
(plural toms)- The male of the domesticated cat.
- The male of the turkey.
- The male of certain other animals.
- (British, slang) A prostitute.
- (music) A type of drum.
- (obsolete) The jack of trumps in the card game gleek.
Synonyms
- (male cat) tomcat, he-cat
- (male turkey) turkey-cock
- (male of other animals) male
- (prostitute) See also
Derived terms
Origin 2
Shortened from tomato
Origin 3
Rhyming slang from tomfoolery.
Origin 4
From Uncle Tom.
Verb
- (intransitive, derogatory, of a black person) To act in an obsequiously servile manner toward white authority.