thumbless

Variant of thumb

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 © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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