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