DIGIT

digit, dactyl

(noun) a finger or toe in human beings or corresponding body part in other vertebrates

finger, fingerbreadth, finger's breadth, digit

(noun) the length of breadth of a finger used as a linear measure

digit, figure

(noun) one of the elements that collectively form a system of numeration; “0 and 1 are digits”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

digit (plural digits)

(mathematics) The whole numbers from 0 to 9 and the Arabic numerals representing them, which are combined to represent base-ten numbers.

(mathematics) A distinct symbol representing one of an arithmetic progression of numbers between 0 and the radix.

(units of measure, astronomy) 1/12 the apparent diameter of the sun or moon, (chiefly) as a measure of the totality of an eclipse.

(historical units of measure) A unit of length notionally based upon the width of an adult human finger, standardized differently in various places and times, (especially) the English digit of 1/16 foot (about 1.9 cm).

(units of measure, obsolete) synonym of inch.

(anatomy) A narrow extremity of the human hand or foot: a finger, thumb, or toe.

(zoology) Similar or similar-looking structures in other animals.

(geometry, rare, obsolete) synonym of degree: 1/360 of a circle.

Synonyms

• (numerical place): place, figure (informal, usually in discussion of money)

• (astronomical unit): finger (obsolete)

• (unit of length): finger, fingerbreadth, fingersbreadth

Hyponyms

• (extremity of the hand or foot): finger, thumb, toe

Verb

digit (third-person singular simple present digits, present participle digiting, simple past and past participle digited)

(transitive) To point at or point out with the finger.

Source: Wiktionary

Dig"it, n. Etym: [L. digitus finger; prob. akin to Gr. toe. Cf. Dactyl.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Definition: One of the terminal divisions of a limb appendage; a finger or toe. The ruminants have the "cloven foot," i. e., two hoofed digits on each foot. Owen.

2. A finger's breadth, commonly estimated to be three fourths of an inch.

3. (Math.)

Definition: One of the ten figures or symbols, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, by which all numbers are expressed; -- so called because of the use of the fingers in counting and computing.

Note: By some authorities the symbol 0 is not included with the digits.

4. (Anat.)

Definition: One twelfth part of the diameter of the sun or moon; -- a term used to express the quantity of an eclipse; as, an eclipse of eight digits is one which hides two thirds of the diameter of the disk.

Dig"it, v. t.

Definition: To point at or out with the finger. [R.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition