thumbnail

[ thuhm-neyl ]

noun

1. the nail of the thumb.
2. anything quite small or brief, as a small drawing or short essay.
3. Printing. a small, rough dummy.
4. Also called porkchop. Journalism, Printing. a half-column portrait in a newspaper.

adjective

1. quite small or brief; concise:

   a thumbnail description of Corsica.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a thumbnail sketch or description of.

thumbnail

/ ˈθʌmˌneɪl /

noun

1. the nail of the thumb
2. modifier concise and brief

   a thumbnail sketch

3. computing a small image which can be expanded

Word History and Origins

Origin of thumbnail¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; thumb + nail

Example Sentences

To distinguish between more innocuous cases of narcissism and the literally dangerous varieties, Durvasula offered a thumbnail test: "Narcissists who are narcissistic do feel remorse," Durvasula said.

From Salon

Customers can choose from goalkeepers presented with a thumbnail photo, short bio and information on the price.

From Seattle Times

They are made of stone or glass, variously coloured and tiny - often barely the size of a thumbnail.

From BBC

Compared to the palm-sized prototype, the new versions are also much smaller -- about the size of a thumbnail -- and the researchers are aiming to miniaturise them further.

From Science Daily

Any thumbnail sketch of the 38-year-old is bound to start with the fact that he was for more than five years the partner of Mr Attal.

From BBC