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thumb definition

thumb (t̸hum)

noun

  1. the short, thick digit of the human hand that is nearest the wrist and is opposable to the other fingers
  2. a corresponding part in some other vertebrate animals
  3. the part of a glove or mitten that covers the thumb
  4. Archit. ovolo

Etymology: ME (with unhistoric -b) < OE thuma, akin to Ger daume(n) < IE base *tēu-, to swell, increase > L tumor: basic sense, “enlarged finger”

transitive verb

  1. to handle, turn, soil, or wear with or as with the thumb
  2. Informal to solicit or get (a ride) or make (one's way) in hitchhiking by gesturing with the thumb extended in the direction one is traveling

Related Forms:

thumb Idioms

all thumbs

clumsy; fumbling

thumb one's nose

☆
  1. to raise one's thumb to the nose with the fingers extended, as a coarse gesture of defiance or contempt
  2. to express defiance or contempt

thumbs down

a signal of rejection or disapproval

thumbs up

a signal of acceptance or approval

thumb through

to glance rapidly through (a book), as by releasing or turning pages along their edge with the thumb

under someone's thumb

under someone's influence or sway

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

Alternate definitions:

idioms thumb idiom

medical thumb definition - medical

thumb Synonyms

thumb

n.

pollex, first digit, preaxial digit; see finger.

all thumbs*

fumbling, clumsy, inept; see awkward 1.

under one's thumb*

under one's control, controlled, governed; see managed.


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.

thumb Usage Examples

Object

  • lift: At the end, you'll be pleased you thumbed a lift.

Converse of object

  • twiddle: I don't expect a response for at least a month so i guess it's back to twiddling thumbs.

Adjective modifier

  • opposable: You owe the Oracle a can opener that doesn't require an opposable thumb.

Modifies a noun

  • nail: One had an infant bird in it that was no bigger then a thumb nail!

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • through: With 275 mostly color photographs to thumb through, it's a lovely looking insight into the models design origins and development history.

Preposition: with

  • hammer: If you hit your thumb with a hammer when great aunt Edith is in the room what do you say?
thumb 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.

thumb quotes

I was never an Angry Young Man. I am angry only when I hit my thumb with a hammer.

-Amis, Sir Kingsley

In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God's existence.

-Newton, Sir Isaac

The fact is, there are no rules and there never were any rules, and there never will be any rules of musical composition except rules of thumb; and thumbs vary in length, like ears.

-Shaw, George Bernard

thumb 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.

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MLA Style

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

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

APA Style

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

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

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