Anatomy the short, thick, inner digit of the hand, next to the forefinger and set apart from the other four:[countable]He stuck out his thumb for a ride.
Zoologythe corresponding finger in animals.
the part of a glove or mitten that contains this digit.
v.
to turn (pages) with the thumb:[~ + object]to thumb the edges of a book.
to glance through (pages):[~ + through + object]thumbed through the brochure.
(of a hitchhiker) to ask for (a ride) by pointing the thumb in the direction of travel:[~ + object]to thumb a ride.
Idioms
Idiomsbe all thumbs, to be clumsy:When it comes to car repairs he's all thumbs.
Idiomsthumb one's nose, [~ + at + object]
to raise the hand with fingers extended and touch the thumb to the nose as a gesture of contempt, etc.:thumbed his nose at the police officer and raced off.
to show contempt or defiance:to thumb one's nose at society.
under someone's thumb, to be under the control or rule of someone else.
Anatomythe short, thick, inner digit of the human hand, next to the forefinger.
Zoologythe corresponding digit in other animals; pollex.
the part of a glove or mitten for containing this digit.
Architecturean ovolo or echinus molding.
all thumbs, awkward; clumsy; bungling:The visitor almost knocked over a vase and seemed to be all thumbs.
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.
v.t.
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 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.
bef. 900; Middle English; Old English thūma; cognate with Dutch duim, Old Saxon, Old High German dūmo (German Daumen), Old Norse thumall; akin to Latin tumēre to swell (tumor)