Thumb (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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noun
  1. the short, thick, inner digit of the human hand, next to the forefinger.
  2. the corresponding digit in other animals; pollex.
  3. the part of a glove or mitten for containing this digit.
  4. an ovolo or echinus molding.
verb (used with object)
  1. to soil or wear with the thumbs in handling, as the pages of a book.
  2. to glance through (the pages of a book, leaflet, etc.) quickly.
  3. to play (a guitar or other instrument) with or as with the thumbs.
  4. (of a hitchhiker) to solicit or get (a ride) by pointing the thumb in the desired direction of travel.
Idioms
  1. awkward; clumsy; bungling: The visitor almost knocked over a vase and seemed to be all thumbs.
  2. 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.
  3. a gesture or expression of dissent or disapproval: We turned thumbs down to that suggestion.
  4. a gesture or expression of assent or approval.
  5. under the power or influence of; subordinate to.
noun
  1. the first and usually shortest and thickest of the digits of the hand, composed of two short bones
  2. the corresponding digit in other vertebrates
  3. the part of a glove shaped to fit the thumb
  4. architect another name for ovolo
  5. clumsy
  6. an indication of refusal, disapproval, or negation
  7. an indication of encouragement, approval, or acceptance
  8. at someone's mercy or command
verb
  1. to touch, mark, or move with the thumb
  2. to attempt to obtain (a lift or ride) by signalling with the thumb
  3. to flip the pages of (a book, magazine, etc) perfunctorily in order to glance at the contents
  4. to deride or mock, esp by placing the thumb on the nose with fingers extended
Thumb (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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