Definitions for: Thumb


[n] a convex molding having a cross section in the form of a quarter of a circle or of an ellipse
[n] the part of a glove that provides a covering for the thumb
[n] the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
[v] feel or handle with the fingers; "finger the binding of the book"
[v] travel by getting free rides from motorists
[v] look through a book or other written material; "He thumbed through the report"; "She leafed through the volume"



Webster (1913) Definition: Thumb, n. [OE. thombe, thoumbe, [thorn]ume, AS.
[thorn][=u]ma; akin to OFries. th[=u]ma, D. duim, G. daumen,
OHG. d[=u]mo, Icel. [thorn]umall, Dan. tommelfinger, Sw.
tumme, and perhaps to L. tumere to swell. [root]56. Cf.
Thimble, Tumid.]
The short, thick first digit of the human hand, differing
from the other fingers in having but two phalanges; the
pollex. See Pollex.

Upon his thumb he had of gold a ring. --Chaucer.

Thumb band, a twist of anything as thick as the thumb.
--Mortimer.

Thumb blue, indigo in the form of small balls or lumps,
used by washerwomen to blue linen, and the like.

Thumb latch, a door latch having a lever formed to be
pressed by the thumb.

Thumb mark.
(a) The mark left by the impression of a thumb, as on the
leaves of a book. --Longfellow.
(b) The dark spot over each foot in finely bred black and tan
terriers.

Thumb nut, a nut for a screw, having wings to grasp between
the thumb and fingers in turning it; also, a nut with a
knurled rim for the same perpose.

Thumb ring, a ring worn on the thumb. --Shak.

Thumb stall.
(a) A kind of thimble or ferrule of iron, or leather, for
protecting the thumb in making sails, and in other work.
(b) (Mil.) A buckskin cushion worn on the thumb, and used to
close the vent of a cannon while it is sponged, or
loaded.

Under one's thumb, completely under one's power or
influence; in a condition of subservience. [Colloq.]


Thumb, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Thumbed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Thumbing.]
1. To handle awkwardly. --Johnson.

2. To play with the thumbs, or with the thumbs and fingers;
as, to thumb over a tune.

3. To soil or wear with the thumb or the fingers; to soil, or
wear out, by frequent handling; also, to cover with the
thumb; as, to thumb the touch-hole of a cannon.

He gravely informed the enemy that all his cards had
been thumbed to pieces, and begged them to let him
have a few more packs. --Macaulay.


Thumb, v. i.
To play with the thumb or thumbs; to play clumsily; to thrum.

Synonyms: finger, flick, flip, hitch, hitchhike, leaf, ovolo, pollex, quarter round, riff, riffle

See Also: covering, echinus, finger, glove, gloves, molding, moulding, musculus abductor pollicis, peruse, ride, thumbnail, touch

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