-tome
1.
a combining form with the meanings “cutting instrument” (
microtome; osteotome
), “segment, somite” (
sclerotome
), used in the formation of compound words.
Compare
tomo-
,
-tomous
,
-tomy
.
Origin
combining form representing
Greek
tomḗ
a cutting;
tómos
a cut, slice;
-tomon
(neuter),
-tomos
(masculine) -cutting (adj.)
British Dictionary definitions for
-tome
-tome
combining form
1.
indicating an instrument for cutting:
osteotome
Word Origin
from Greek
tomē
a cutting,
tomos
a slice, from
temnein
to cut
-tome
in Medicine
-tome
suff.
Part; area; segment:
dermatome.
Cutting instrument:
microtome.