Definition

1. 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

1. the Apostle who would not believe the resurrection of Jesus until he saw Jesus with his own eyes
2. Welsh poet (1914-1953)
3. a radio broadcast journalist during World War I and World War II noted for his nightly new broadcast (1892-1981)
4. United States socialist who was a candidate for president six times (1884-1968)
5. United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)