Proper noun

1. A diminutive of Thomas, also used as a formal male given name.
2. Used by 1377 as a type of a nickname for a common man.
3. In the 17th century, applied as a nickname for several exceptionally large balls.

Quotations

• 1605 William Shakespeare, King Lear, Act III, Scene IV

  Poor Tom's a-cold.

  "Becky Thatcher. What's yours? Oh, I know. It's Thomas Sawyer."

  "That's the name they lick me by. I'm Tom when I'm good. You call me Tom, will you?"

• 2008 David Park, The Truth Commissioner, ISBN 9780747591290, page 366

  "We're not sure - we were expecting a girl for some reason. But we're thinking of something simple like Tom."

  "Thomas?"

  "No, just Tom."