tom-tom
tom-tom
UK[ˈtɒm tɒm]US[ˈtɑːm tɑːm]
n
A long, narrow drum, typically beaten with the hands.
n
The sound of such a drum.
Etymology
The word 'tom-tom' is a vivid example of onomatopoeia, where the sound of the thing itself gives birth to its name. It entered the English language in the late 17th century from languages of the Indian subcontinent, such as Hindi and Marathi, which have similar reduplicated terms like 'tam-tam' or 'tamtam'. The reduplication of the syllable "tom" effectively mimics the repetitive, resonant beat characteristic of this type of hand-beaten drum. This process of sound symbolism directly links the word's form to its function, creating an immediate auditory association for the listener.
Analysis
The word is a reduplication, formed by repeating the syllable "tom". It is an onomatopoeic formation, imitating the sound of a drum. Its origin is traced to languages of South Asia (such as Hindi and Marathi), where similar reduplicated words for drums exist.
Examples
The steady beat of the tom-tom set the rhythm for the tribal dance.
He could hear the distant sound of a tom-tom from deep within the forest.
The drummer switched from the snare to the tom-tom for a deeper, more resonant fill.