thompson
thompson Lexical Profile
• noun
An English and Scottish patronymic surname meaning 'son of Thom', derived from a diminutive of Thomas.
"Dr. Thompson delivered the keynote address at the international medical conference."
American An American submachine gun invented by John T. Thompson in 1918, notable for its historical association with both law enforcement and organized crime during the Prohibition era.
"The historical museum's prohibition exhibit featured a meticulously restored 1928 Thompson alongside period photographs of federal agents."
Canadian The largest tributary of the Fraser River, located in the south-central region of British Columbia, Canada.
"The Thompson River is highly regarded by ecologists for its significant salmon spawning grounds and dramatic canyon landscapes."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from a Middle English patronymic meaning 'son of Thom' (a diminutive of Thomas). The 'p' is an epenthetic consonant that naturally developed in pronunciation between the bilabial 'm' and the alveolar 's'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.