tom thumb

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tom thumb

Tom Thumb rides a mouse across the kitchen floor.

Definition

Noun: 1. A very small person: A person of unusually small stature; a dwarf or midget. 2. An imaginary hero of English folklore: A legendary character, a boy no bigger than his father's thumb, known for his cleverness and adventures.

Usage Examples
  • Noun (Literal):
    • The old circus poster advertised the amazing feats of a real-life Tom Thumb.
    • In the crowded market, the child felt like a Tom Thumb among the adults.
  • Noun (Folklore):
    • The children's book told the classic tale of Tom Thumb, who rode in a mouse-drawn carriage.
    • Tom Thumb is a popular figure in English fairy tales, often outwitting giants and other foes.
Advanced Usage
  • As a common noun (lowercase): When used generically to describe any very small person or thing, it is often not capitalized.
    • The horticulturist developed a tom thumb variety of lettuce, perfect for small gardens.
  • Historical Reference: Refers specifically to Charles Sherwood Stratton (1838-1883), a famous American entertainer promoted by P.T. Barnum under the stage name "General Tom Thumb."
Variants and Related Words
  • Thumbelina: The female counterpart from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, a girl no bigger than a thumb.
  • Lilliputian: (Adjective or Noun) Extremely small; or a tiny person (from ).
Synonyms
  • Dwarf
  • Midget (Note: This term is now often considered offensive when referring to people.)
  • Homunculus
  • Manikin
Related Idioms
  • No bigger than Tom Thumb: Used to emphasize how extremely small something or someone is.
    • The newborn kittens were no bigger than Tom Thumb.
tom thumb

Tom Thumb rides a mouse across the kitchen floor.

Noun
  1. a very small person
  2. an imaginary hero of English folklore who was no taller than his father's thumb

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