Main Entry:

¹thumb

Pronunciation:

\ˈthəm\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English thoume, thoumbe, from Old English thūma; akin to Old High German thūmo thumb, Latin tumēre to swell

Date:

before 12th century

1: the short thick digit of the human hand that is analogous in position to the big toe and differs from the other fingers in having only two phalanges, allowing greater freedom of movement, and being opposable to each of them ; also : a corresponding digit in lower animals2: the part of a glove or mitten that covers the thumb3: a convex molding : ovolo

— all thumbs

: extremely awkward or clumsy

— under one's thumb or under the thumb

: under control : in a state of subservience <her father did not have her that much under his thumb — Hamilton Basso>