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Thumb   /θəm/   Listen
noun
Thumb  n.  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."
Thumb band, a twist of anything as thick as the thumb.
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.
(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.
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.)


verb
Thumb  v. t.  (past & past part. thumbed; pres. part. thumbing)  
1.
To handle awkwardly.
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."


Thumb  v. i.  To play with the thumb or thumbs; to play clumsily; to thrum.





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


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"Thumb" Quotes from Famous Books



... methods to be followed scrupulously by the sick. Cure the stomachache by catching a beetle in both hands and throwing it over the left shoulder with both hands without looking backward. Have you intestinal trouble? Eat mulberries picked with the thumb and ring finger of your left hand. Do you grow old before your time? Drink water drawn silently DOWN STREAM from a brook before daylight. Beware of drawing it upstream; your days will be brief. It reminds one of the practice of the modern herb doctor in peeling ...
— Popular Science Monthly Volume 86
... half an hour a day at the piano from each of the little girls, and faithfully sat beside them saying: "One, two, three, four, don't droop your wrists, Lynn; one, two, three, four, count, Pauline; one, two, three, four, thumb ...
— In the Mist of the Mountains • Ethel Turner
... Fairlegh? how are you? That stupid fool has made 'em too tight for anybody but Tom Thumb, and be hanged to him. Ever read fairy tales, Fairlegh? I did when I was a little shaver, and wore cock-tailed petticoats—all bare legs and bustle—'a Highland lad my love was born'; that style of thing, rather, you know; never believed 'em, though: wasn't to ...
— Frank Fairlegh - Scenes From The Life Of A Private Pupil • Frank E. Smedley
... mine! Take holy water, cross your dark skin white; Round your proud eyes to foolish kitten looks; Walk mincingly, and smirk, and twitch your robe: Unmake yourself—doff all the eagle plumes And be a parrot, chained to a ring that slips Upon a Spaniard's thumb, at will of his That you should prattle o'er his ...
— George Eliot; A Critical Study of Her Life, Writings & Philosophy • George Willis Cooke
... too, that among that very nation whose language had afforded the motto, to "turn up the thumb" (pollicem vertere) was a symbol significant of death. I touched the under surface of my tongue with the tip of my thumb. The aged man was appeased. I passed on, and ...
— Prince Zaleski • M.P. Shiel


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