THUMBS

Noun

thumbs

plural of thumb

Verb

thumbs

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of thumb

Source: Wiktionary

THUMB

Thumb, n. Etym: [OE. thombe, thoumbe, , AS. ; akin to OFries. th, D. duim, G. daumen, OHG. d, Icel. , Dan. tommelfinger, Sw. tunne, and perhaps to L. tumere to swell. *56. Cf. Thimble, Tumid.]

Definition: 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, v. 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 tune.

3. 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 cannon. He 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, v. i.

Definition: To play with the thumb or thumbs; to play clumsily; to thrum.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition