Dorcas

From Ancient Greek δορκάς (dorkás, “gazelle”), translation of Tabitha in the Bible.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdɔːkəs/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈdɔɹkəs/

Dorcas

1. A woman who is said, in the Bible, to have been restored to life by Peter.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), imprinted at London: By Robert Barker, […], OCLC 964384981, Acts 9:36:

     :

     Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas; this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

2. A female given name of biblical origin.
3. (now historical) Used attributively of a ladies' association within the church in order to make and distribute clothes for the poor.
   • 1863, Anthony Trollope, Rachel Ray:

     She established a Dorcas society at Baslehurst, of which she became permanent president, and spent her money in carrying on this institution in the manner most pleasing to herself.

   • 1866, George Eliot, Felix Holt:

     The daughter was probably some prim Miss, neat, sensible, pious, but all in a small feminine way, in which Felix was no more interested than in Dorcas meetings, biographies of devout women, and that amount of ornamental knitting which was not inconsistent with Nonconforming seriousness.

• Acords

Dorcas f

1. (biblical) Dorcas (woman restored to life by Peter)
2. A female given name, equivalent to English Dorcas