Definition of "Dorcas"

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.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Acts 9:36

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.

1863, Anthony Trollope, “The Ray Family”, in Rachel Ray. […], volume I, London: Chapman and Hall, […], page 11

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.

1866, George Eliot [pseudonym; Mary Ann Evans], chapter V, in Felix Holt, the Radical […], volume I, Edinburgh, London: William Blackwood and Sons, page 120

Secondly, When a person not only hath grace, but also is beneficial, usefull, doth much good in his time, is diffusive of holinesse, full of good works, serves his generation, and hath done his work before he fals asleep, hath his Dorcasses coats to be seen after his death; it is only our doing good that makes us called good;

1654, William Jenkyn, A shock of corn coming in in its season, page 13

I have beheld, O Dorcasses! with admiration and gratitude , the coats and garments, the lint and bandages which you have made.

1863, Caroline Matilda Kirkland, A Few Words in Behalf of the Loyal Women of the United States, page 2

yea, of women, not a few, who following in the train of those who “ministered to Christ,” were good Dorcasses, and “succourers of many."

1870, Samuel Cowdy, Christianity re-examined: help and hope for truth seekers, page 65

I fear least thro the medium of the papers he shd hear of it before the Dorcasses of his congregation shall receive the certificate to present in due form, in this case be pleased to apologize to the ladies for my indiscretion.

1940, John Pintard, Dorothy C. Barck, Letters from John Pintard to His Daughter, Eliza Noel, page 196

They had been pouring tea and passing wafers when they should have been Dorcassing at their Christmas tasks.

1912, Rupert Hughes, Mrs. Budlong's Christmas Presents, page 59

It was by good works of this kind — not by doles , “Dorcassing,” and such-like — that Ossett gained and deserved the title of a “Charitable Man.”

1913, H. J. A. Hervey, The European in India, page 84

Peter and Paul knew what they were about when they kept the women Dorcassing and such like.

1928, Lawrence Pilkington, The Chimneys of Tattleton: A Story of Old Lancashire, page 41