Thomas
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Proper noun:
- A disciple of Jesus: Thomas is the name of one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, known for initially doubting the Resurrection until he saw physical proof.
- A Welsh poet: Thomas refers to Dylan Thomas, a 20th-century Welsh poet and writer known for his vivid, rhythmic, and imaginative verse.
- An American broadcast journalist: Thomas is Edward R. Murrow's on-air pseudonym, used by the pioneering radio and television journalist during his wartime broadcasts.
- An American socialist and political candidate: Thomas refers to Norman Thomas, a prominent American socialist who ran for U.S. President multiple times.
- An American clockmaker and industrialist: Thomas refers to Seth Thomas, a clockmaker who helped pioneer clock manufacturing in the United States.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- In the Bible, Thomas is often called "Doubting Thomas" because he needed to see Jesus's wounds to believe he had risen.
- The poetry of Dylan Thomas is celebrated for its rich sound and imagery.
- Listeners tuned in nightly to hear the journalist report under the name Thomas.
- The socialist Thomas advocated for reforms during the Great Depression.
- The antique shelf clock was made by the Thomas company in the 19th century.
Advanced Usage
- "Doubting Thomas": (idiom) a person who is skeptical and refuses to believe something without direct, physical evidence.
- He was such a Doubting Thomas that he wouldn't believe the news until he saw the official document himself.
Variants and Related Words
- Thomistic (adj): Pertaining to the philosophy or theology of Saint Thomas Aquinas.
- The seminar focused on Thomistic arguments for the existence of God.
- Tommy (n): A common diminutive or nickname for Thomas.
- His friends all call him Tommy.
Synonyms
- Apostle: (for the biblical figure) one of the twelve chief disciples of Jesus.
- Skeptic: (in the context of "Doubting Thomas") a person inclined to question or doubt accepted opinions.
Related Phrases
- "To be a Thomas": (less common) to exhibit skepticism similar to the Apostle Thomas.
- On this issue, I'm afraid I have to be a Thomas; I need more data.
Related Idioms
- "Doubting Thomas": As defined in Advanced Usage, this is the primary idiom derived directly from the name.
- Don't be a Doubting Thomas; the results of the experiment have been verified by three independent labs.
Noun
- the Apostle who would not believe the resurrection of Jesus until he saw Jesus with his own eyes
- Welsh poet (1914-1953)
- a radio broadcast journalist during World War I and World War II noted for his nightly new broadcast (1892-1981)
- United States socialist who was a candidate for president six times (1884-1968)
- United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)