tome

What does “tome” mean?

noun.a book, especially a large, heavy, scholarly one.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in contexts related to literature, academia, or intellectual pursuits, emphasizing the weighty nature of scholarly work. It suggests not just a large book, but one that carries significant knowledge or authority, distinguishing it from lighter reading materials or general texts.

Common Confusions

Tome implies a substantial and scholarly book, while volume usually suggests a collection of written works or a single book of a series, without necessarily indicating its academic weight.

Example Sentences

• The legal history of the case filled an entire thick tome.

• The ancient tome, filled with intricate illustrations and forgotten knowledge, captivated the scholars who gathered to decipher its cryptic messages.