a female roe-deer
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
DORCAS (Gr. form of Aram. [Note: Aramaic.] Tabitha, lit. gazelle, Act_9:36 ff.).The name of a Christian woman at Joppa, full of good works and almsdeeds, who, having died, was raised by St. Peters prayer and the words Tabitha, arise. The description recalls the Talitha cumi, scene in Jairus house (Mar_5:41).
A. J. Maclean.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
Dor'cas. (gazelle). See Tabitha.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863
dôr?kas (Δορκάς, Dorkás, the Greek equivalent of Aramaic tabı̄tha, ?a gazelle?): The name was borne by a Christian woman of Joppa. She is called a disciple (mathḗtria: Act_9:36, the only place in the New Testament where the feminine form is used). She seems to have had some means and also to have been a leader in the Christian community. Dorcas was beloved for the manner in which she used her position and means, for she ?was full of good works, and almsdeeds which she did.? Among her charities was the clothing of the poor with garments she herself made (Act_9:39), and by following her example, numerous ?Dorcas societies? in the Christian church perpetuate her memory. There is a local memorial in the ?Tabitha School? in Jaffa devoted to the care and education of poor girls.
Her restoration to life by Peter is recorded. At the time of her death Peter was in Lydda where he had healed Aeneas. Being sent for, he went to Joppa, and, by the exercise of the supernatural powers granted to him, ?he presented her alive? to the mourning community. In consequence of this miracle ?many believed on the Lord? (Act_9:42).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.
Dorcas
(Δορκάς, a female antelope; explained in the text as equivalent to Syr. טְבַיתָא, a gazelle), a charitable and pious Christian widow of Joppa, whom Peter restored to life (Act_9:36-41). The sacred writer mentions her as "a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas," the reason of which probably is that she was a Hellenistic Jewess, and was called Dorcas by the Greeks, while to the Jews she was known by the name of TABITHA SEE TABITHA (q.v.). SEE GAZELLE.
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.