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tom-tom

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tom-tom

[tom-tom]
–noun
1. a drum of American Indian or Asian origin, commonly played with the hands.
2. a dully repetitious drumbeat or similar sound.
Also, tam-tam.


Origin:
1685–95; < Hindi ṭamṭam
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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tom-tom   (tŏm'tŏm')   
n.  
  1. Any of various small-headed drums, usually long and narrow, that are beaten with the hands.

  2. A monotonous rhythmical drumbeat or similar sound.


[Hindi ṭamṭam, probably of imitative origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

tom-tom 
1693, "drum" (originally used in India), from Hindi tam-tam, probably of imitative origin (cf. Sinhalese tamat tama and Malay tong-tong).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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