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thumb
[ thuhm ]
noun
- the short, thick, inner digit of the human hand, next to the forefinger.
- the corresponding digit in other animals; pollex.
- the part of a glove or mitten for containing this digit.
- Architecture. an ovolo or echinus molding.
verb (used with object)
- to soil or wear with the thumbs in handling, as the pages of a book.
- to glance through (the pages of a book, leaflet, etc.) quickly.
- to play (a guitar or other instrument) with or as with the thumbs.
- (of a hitchhiker) to solicit or get (a ride) by pointing the thumb in the desired direction of travel.
thumb
/ θʌm /
noun
- the first and usually shortest and thickest of the digits of the hand, composed of two short bones Technical namepollex pollical
- the corresponding digit in other vertebrates
- the part of a glove shaped to fit the thumb
- architect another name for ovolo
- all thumbsclumsy
- thumbs downan indication of refusal, disapproval, or negation
he gave the thumbs down on our proposal
- thumbs upan indication of encouragement, approval, or acceptance
- under someone's thumbat someone's mercy or command
verb
- tr to touch, mark, or move with the thumb
- to attempt to obtain (a lift or ride) by signalling with the thumb
- whenintr, often foll by through to flip the pages of (a book, magazine, etc) perfunctorily in order to glance at the contents
- thumb one's nose atto deride or mock, esp by placing the thumb on the nose with fingers extended
Derived Forms
- ˈthumbˌlike, adjective
- ˈthumbless, adjective
Other Words From
- thumbless adjective
- thumblike adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of thumb1
Idioms and Phrases
- all thumbs, awkward; clumsy; bungling:
The visitor almost knocked over a vase and seemed to be all thumbs.
- 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.
- thumbs down, a gesture or expression of dissent or disapproval:
We turned thumbs down to that suggestion.
- thumbs up, a gesture or expression of assent or approval.
- under one's thumb, under the power or influence of; subordinate to. Also under the thumb of.
More idioms and phrases containing thumb
- all thumbs
- green thumb
- rule of thumb
- stick out (like a sore thumb)
- twiddle one's thumbs
- under someone's thumb
Example Sentences
Cam Reddish, who had helped the Lakers go undefeated since his move to the starting five, also couldn’t play because of ankle and thumb injuries.
He says one of the kits gave a veterinarian a very serious bite on his thumb.
As the talks faltered, Washington put its thumb on the scales, suspending aid to Ethiopia, while Trump suggested that Egypt might "blow up" the dam.
He took out his phone, smiled, and took a picture of himself with the huge “Trump” sign in the background, as he gave a big “thumbs up”.
As a rule of thumb, smart meters in the northern region designed to connect to the radio signal have two small indicator lights on the communications hub, fitted to the top of the smart meter.
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Related Words
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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