thumb

1. n. The short, thick first digit of the human hand, differing from the other fingers in having but two phalanges; the pollex. See Pollex. Source: opted

2. v. t. To handle awkwardly. Source: opted

3. v. t. To play with the thumbs, or with the thumbs and fingers; as, to thumb over a tune. Source: opted

4. v. t. 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. Source: opted

5. v. i. To play with the thumb or thumbs; to play clumsily; to thrum. Source: opted

6. n. the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb Source: wordnet

7. n. the part of a glove that provides a covering for the thumb Source: wordnet

8. n. a convex molding having a cross section in the form of a quarter of a circle or of an ellipse Source: wordnet

9. v. travel by getting free rides from motorists Source: wordnet

10. v. look through a book or other written material Source: wordnet

11. v. feel or handle with the fingers Source: wordnet

12. 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.] 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. To play with the thumb or thumbs; to play clumsily; to thrum. Source: webster

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