Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Thumb
Thumb
,Noun.
[OE.
thombe
, thoumbe
, þume
, AS. þūma
; akin to OFries. thūma
, D. duim
, G. daumen
, OHG. dūmo
, Icel. þumall
, Dan. tommel
finger, Sw. tumme
, and perhaps to L. tumere
to swell. √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
,Verb.
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 tune3.
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 cannonHe 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
,Verb.
I.
To play with the thumb or thumbs; to play clumsily; to thrum.