fingerprint
noun
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Definition of fingerprint
1 : the impression of a fingertip on any surface also : an ink impression of the lines upon the fingertip taken for the purpose of identification
2 : something that identifies: such as
a : a trait, trace, or characteristic revealing origin or responsibility
b : analytical evidence (such as a spectrogram) that characterizes an object or substance especially : the chromatogram or electrophoretogram obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional chromatography or electrophoresis
c : the base-pair pattern in an individual's DNA obtained by DNA fingerprinting
Illustration of fingerprint
fingerprint 1: 1 arch, 2 loop, 3 whorl, 4 composite
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Synonyms for fingerprint
Synonyms
affection, attribute, attribution, character, characteristic, criterion, diagnostic, differentia, feature, hallmark, mark, marker, note, particularity, peculiarity, point, property, quality, specific, stamp, touch, trait
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Examples of fingerprint in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s yet another concern child advocates now have since the Trump administration is requiring fingerprints of sponsors and their household members and will turn that data over to the immigration agency in charge of deportations. — Amy Taxin, BostonGlobe.com, "Protections for immigrants erode under Trump since inaugural," 18 June 2018 Unfired armor-piercing bullets found inside the Las Vegas hotel room where the attack was launched on Oct. 1 contained the fingerprints of ammunition dealer Douglas Haig of Arizona, according to the complaint filed in federal court in Phoenix. — Laura Mcknight, NOLA.com, "Man shot in the leg in CBD near Canal Street: NOPD," 2 Feb. 2018 However, Blass says Samsung will use an ultrasonic sensor, which uses sound rather than light to read your fingerprint. — Michael Simon, PCWorld, "Samsung Galaxy S10 rumors: It won't have a notch but it might have... a hole?," 13 Nov. 2018 After the account is registered, users can submit their votes through the app so long as their identity is verified with technology like Face ID or by scanning their fingerprints. — Makena Kelly, The Verge, "Nearly 150 West Virginians voted with a mobile blockchain app," 10 Nov. 2018 High-Cut ’80s Bikinis Are the New High-Cut Maillots Kendall and Kylie Jenner move the needle on a lot of trends, but this one has their fingerprints all over it—literally. — Emily Farra, Vogue, "The Biggest—And Most Curious—Instagram Trends of Summer 2018," 3 Aug. 2018 Walden had wiped down the truck with WD-40 to try to conceal his fingerprints, the station said. — Don Sweeney, sacbee, "Identity theft derails when man poses with ‘his’ new pickup truck, police say," 12 July 2018 Tim Reif, the Obama trade lawyer whose fingerprints were all over the moves against Ms. Hillman and Mr. Chang, is currently advising Mr. Lighthizer. — Greg Rushford, WSJ, "Trump’s War on the WTO," 4 July 2018 The agents took them to a room with computers where other officers asked Lourdes for her documents and took her fingerprints. — Daniel González, azcentral, "The U.S. deported this mother to Guatemala. It kept her 6-year-old son.," 2 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fingerprint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for fingerprint
fingerprint
noun
English Language Learners Definition of fingerprint
: the mark that is made by pressing the tip of a finger on a surface
: a mark of this kind made in ink for the purpose of identifying a person
: something (such as genetic material) that can be used to identify a person
See the full definition for fingerprint in the English Language Learners Dictionary
fingerprint
noun
\
Kids Definition of fingerprint
(Entry 1 of 2)
: the unique pattern of marks made by pressing the tip of a finger on a surface
fingerprint
verbKids Definition of fingerprint (Entry 2 of 2)
: to obtain fingerprints in order to identify a person
fingerprint
noun
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Medical Definition of fingerprint
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : the impression of a fingertip on any surface especially : an ink impression of the lines on the fingertip taken for purpose of identification
2 : analytical evidence (as a spectrogram) that characterizes an object or substance especially : the chromatogram or electrophoretogram obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional chromatography or electrophoresis — compare dna fingerprinting
fingerprint
transitive verbMedical Definition of fingerprint (Entry 2 of 2)
: to analyze (as spectrographically or chromatographically) in order to determine uniquely the identifying characteristics, origin, or constitution of each protein was fingerprinted
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fingerprint
nounLegal Definition of fingerprint
: the impression of a fingertip on any surface also : an ink impression of the lines upon the fingertip taken for the purpose of identification (as during the booking procedure following an arrest) — see also dna fingerprinting
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