thumb

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noun \ˈthəm\

Definition of thumb

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 animals
2 : the part of a glove or mitten that covers the thumb
3 : a convex molding : ovolo

all thumbs

: extremely awkward or clumsy

under one's thumb

under the thumb

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

See thumb defined for English-language learners

See thumb defined for kids

Examples of thumb in a Sentence

a little girl sucking her thumb
I accidentally cut my thumb.
My mitten has a hole in the thumb.

Origin and Etymology of thumb

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

thumb

verb

Definition of thumb

intransitive verb
1 : to turn over pages thumb through a book
2 : to travel by thumbing rides : hitchhike thumbed across the country
transitive verb
1 : to request or obtain (a ride) in a passing automobile by signaling with the thumb
2a : to leaf through (pages) with the thumb : turnb : to soil or wear by or as if by repeated thumbing a badly thumbed book

thumb one's nose

1 : to express disdain or defiance thumb their nose at opulence — Sales Management
2 : to place the thumb at one's nose and extend the fingers as a gesture of scorn or defiance

See thumb defined for English-language learners

Examples of thumb in a Sentence

I thumbed a ride to school.
He thumbed his way to New York.
He thumbed across the country.

Circa 1647

First Known Use of thumb

circa 1647

THUMB Defined for English Language Learners

thumb

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noun

Definition of thumb for English Language Learners

: the short, thick finger on the side of your hand
: the part of a glove or mitten that covers a thumb

thumb

verb

Definition of thumb for English Language Learners

: to ask for or get a ride in a passing vehicle by sticking out your arm with your thumb up as you stand on the side of the road

THUMB Defined for Kids

thumb

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noun \ˈthəm\

Definition of thumb for Students

1 : the short thick finger next to the forefinger
2 : the part of a glove covering the thumb

thumb

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verb

Definition of thumb for Students

thumbed

;

thumbing

1 : to turn the pages of quickly with the thumb
2 : to seek or get (a ride) in a passing automobile by signaling with the thumb

Medical Dictionary

thumb

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noun \ˈthəm\

Medical Definition of thumb

: the short and thick first or most preaxial digit of the human hand that differs from the other fingers in having only two phalanges, in having greater freedom of movement, and in being opposable to the other fingers