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thumb
[thuhm]
noun
the short, thick, inner digit of the human hand, next to the forefinger.
the corresponding digit in other animals; pollex.
the part of a glove or mitten for containing this digit.
Architecture.an ovolo or echinus molding.
verb (used with object)
to soil or wear with the thumbs in handling, as the pages of a book.
to glance through (the pages of a book, leaflet, etc.) quickly.
to play (a guitar or other instrument) with or as with the thumbs.
(of a hitchhiker) to solicit or get (a ride) by pointing the thumb in the desired direction of travel.
thumb
/ θʌ /
noun
Technical name: pollex.the first and usually shortest and thickest of the digits of the hand, composed of two short bones
the corresponding digit in other vertebrates
the part of a glove shaped to fit the thumb
architect another name for ovolo
clumsy
an indication of refusal, disapproval, or negation
he gave the thumbs down on our proposal
an indication of encouragement, approval, or acceptance
at someone's mercy or command
verb
(tr) to touch, mark, or move with the thumb
to attempt to obtain (a lift or ride) by signalling with the thumb
to flip the pages of (a book, magazine, etc) perfunctorily in order to glance at the contents
to deride or mock, esp by placing the thumb on the nose with fingers extended
Other 51Թ Forms
- thumbless adjective
- thumblike adjective
- ˈٳܳˌ adjective
- ˈٳܳ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of thumb1
Idioms and Phrases
thumbs up, a gesture or expression of assent or approval.
under one's thumb, under the power or influence of; subordinate to. Also under the thumb of.
thumb one's nose,
to put one's thumb to one's nose and extend the fingers as a crudely defiant or contemptuous gesture.
to express defiance or contempt; dismiss or reject contemptuously.
thumbs down, a gesture or expression of dissent or disapproval.
We turned thumbs down to that suggestion.
all thumbs, awkward; clumsy; bungling.
The visitor almost knocked over a vase and seemed to be all thumbs.
Example Sentences
Young visitors at the Vietnam Military History Museum posted photos of themselves next to the flag with deep frowns, thumbs down or middle fingers raised.
He would have played for England Lions against India A at Northampton on Friday had it not been for a thumb injury.
A clenched left hand had its thumb resting on top of the grip.
Wet clay dribbled down my palms as I used my thumbs to gently make a hollow cavity to form the base of my piece, then gently pulled up clay to create its walls.
Yet this film is the closest he’s come to expressing the rage of living under someone’s thumb.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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