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• Historical Reference: Refers specifically to Charles Sherwood Stratton (1838-1883), a famous American entertainer promoted by P.T. Barnum under the stage name "General Tom Thumb."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.

Noun

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