finger Hear it!

finger definition

fin·ger (fiŋ′gər)

noun

  1. any of the five jointed parts projecting from the palm of the hand; esp., any of these other than the thumb
  2. the part of a glove that covers one of these parts
  3. anything resembling a finger in shape or use
  4. ☆ a rough unit of measure based on
    1. the breadth of a finger ( inch to 1 inch), as in measuring whiskey in a glass
    2. Now Rare the length of a man's middle finger (about 4 inches)
  5. Mech. a projecting part coming into contact with another part and controlling its motion

Etymology: ME < OE, akin to Ger finger, Goth figgrs, prob. < IE base *penkwe, five

transitive verb

  1. to touch or handle with the fingers; use the fingers on
  2. Now Rare to take; steal
  3. ☆ to point out; indicate or designate, specif. in senses of put the finger on (see phrase below)
  4. Music
    1. to play (an instrument, chord, etc.) by using the fingers in a certain way or sequence on strings, keys, etc.
    2. to mark (a score) with directions for the way to use the fingers

intransitive verb

  1. to use the fingers in a certain way or sequence on a musical instrument
  2. to be fingered: said of musical instruments
  3. to extend (out, across, etc.) like a finger
finger Idioms

burn one's fingers

to cause oneself trouble by being too inquisitive, meddlesome, etc.

give someone the finger

Slang
to express anger, contempt, etc. for by gesturing with the middle finger held upright from a clenched fist

have a finger in the pie

  1. to help do something; participate
  2. to be meddlesome

have one's fingers crossed

or keep one's fingers crossed
to hope for or against something

lift a finger

to make even the slightest effort

put one's finger on

to indicate or ascertain exactly

put the finger on

☆ Slang
  1. to identify as for the police; inform on
  2. to indicate as the place to be robbed, victim to be killed, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

hacker Finger definition - hacker

idioms finger idiom

medical finger definition - medical

telecom finger definition - telecom

finger Synonyms

finger

n.

digit, organ of touch, tactile member, forefinger, thumb, index finger, ring finger, pinkie, extremity, pointer, feeler, antenna, tentacle, claw.

have a finger in the pie*

participate, join, be a part of; see participate 1, share 2.

keep one's fingers crossed*

wish, hope for the best, pray for; see hope.

lift a finger

make an effort, endeavor, exert oneself, help out; see help 1, try 1.

put one's finger on*

indicate, ascertain, identify, pinpoint; see discover.

put the finger on*

inform on, turn in, spy on; see betray 1, inform 2.


finger

v.

  1. To feel

    handle, touch, manipulate; see feel 1.

  2. *To specify or inform against

    point out, name, put the finger on*; see designate 1, inform 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

finger Usage Examples

Object

  • typist: Basically, I am a two or three fingered typist and proud of it.

Preposition: on

  • pulse: You really need to get more active - talk about finger on the pulse!

Adjective modifier

  • sticky: Sticky fingers have been found on the broken aquarium glass.

Converse of object

  • cross: We're keeping our fingers crossed for a Might Magazine anthology someday too.

Modifies a noun

  • puppet: Together you will make hand and finger puppets to create a mini puppet show.

Preposition: in

  • pie: The Arts Council for England has fingers in many pies.

Preposition: of

  • blame: The other camp chooses to point the finger of blame at the black woman.

Noun used with modifier

  • zinc: Collaborators We are specifically interested in the role of Gli3 zinc finger transcription factor during patterning of the cerebral cortex.
finger usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

finger quotes

My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

-Bible (Old Testament)

Mens cuiusque is est quisque: non ea figura quae digito demonstrari potest. The mind is the true self, not the person that can be pointed to with the finger.

-Cicero full name MarcusTullius Cicero

Don't you ever shake that lanky Yankee finger at me.

-Connally,Tom (ThomasTerry)

finger quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"finger." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/finger>

APA Style

finger. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/finger

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment