Thumb (?), n. [OE. thombe, thoumbe, ume, AS. ma; akin to OFries. thma, D. duim, G. daumen, OHG. dmo, Icel. umall, Dan. tommelfinger, Sw. tunne, and perhaps to L. tumere to swell. 56. Cf. Thimble, Tumid.]
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.]
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Thumb, v. i.
To play with the thumb or thumbs; to play clumsily; to thrum.
© Webster 1913.