thumb
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thumb
(thŭm)n.
1.
a. The short thick digit of the human hand, next to the index finger and opposable to each of the other four digits.
b. A corresponding digit in other animals, especially primates. Also called pollex.
2. The part of a glove or mitten that covers the thumb.
3. Architecture An ovolo.
v. thumbed, thumb·ing, thumbs
v.tr.
1. To scan (written matter) by turning over pages with or as if with the thumb.
2. To disarrange, soil, or wear by careless or frequent handling.
3. Informal To solicit (a ride) from a passing vehicle by signaling with the thumb.
v.intr.
Idioms: 1. To scan written matter by turning over pages with or as if with the thumb: thumbed through the latest issue of the magazine.
2. Informal To hitchhike.
all thumbs
Lacking physical coordination, skill, or grace; clumsy.
thumb (one's) nose
To express scorn or ridicule, often by placing the thumb on the nose and wiggling the fingers.
under (someone's) thumb
Under the control of someone; subordinate to.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
thumb
(θʌm)n
1. (Anatomy) the first and usually shortest and thickest of the digits of the hand, composed of two short bones. Technical name: pollex
2. (Zoology) the corresponding digit in other vertebrates
3. (Clothing & Fashion) the part of a glove shaped to fit the thumb
4. (Architecture) architect another name for ovolo
5. all thumbs clumsy
6. thumbs down an indication of refusal, disapproval, or negation: he gave the thumbs down on our proposal.
7. thumbs up an indication of encouragement, approval, or acceptance
8. under someone's thumb at someone's mercy or command
vb
9. (tr) to touch, mark, or move with the thumb
10. to attempt to obtain (a lift or ride) by signalling with the thumb
11. (when: intr, often foll by through) to flip the pages of (a book, magazine, etc) perfunctorily in order to glance at the contents
12. thumb one's nose at to deride or mock, esp by placing the thumb on the nose with fingers extended
[Old English thūma; related to Old Saxon thūma, Old High German thūmo, Old Norse thumall thumb of a glove, Latin tumēre to swell]
ˈthumbless adj
ˈthumbˌlike adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
thumb
(θʌm)n.
1. the short, thick, inner digit of the human hand, next to the forefinger.
2. the corresponding digit in other animals; pollex.
3. the part of a glove or mitten for containing this digit.
v.t. 4. to soil or wear with the thumbs in handling, as the pages of a book.
5. to glance through (pages) (usu. fol. by through): to thumb through a brochure.
6. (of a hitchhiker) to solicit or get (a ride) by pointing the thumb in the desired direction of travel.
Idioms: 1. be all thumbs, to be clumsy.
2. thumb one's nose,
a. to raise the hand with fingers extended and touch the thumb to the nose as a gesture of scorn, defiance, etc.
b. to manifest defiance or contempt (usu. fol. by at): to thumb one's nose at convention.
[before 900; Middle English; Old English thūma, c. Old Frisian, Old Saxon thūma, Old High German dūmo; akin to Old Norse thumalfingr (compare thimble)]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
thumb
- From Old English thuma, "thick, swollen."See also related terms for thick.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
thumb
Past participle: thumbed
Gerund: thumbing
| Imperative |
|---|
| thumb |
| thumb |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  thumb - the thick short innermost digit of the forelimbmusculus abductor pollicis - the abductor muscle of the thumb finger - any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb); "her fingers were long and thin" thumbnail - the nail of the thumb |
| 2. | thumb - the part of a glove that provides a covering for the thumb covering - an artifact that covers something else (usually to protect or shelter or conceal it) glove - handwear: covers the hand and wrist | |
| 3. |  thumb - a convex molding having a cross section in the form of a quarter of a circle or of an ellipseechinus - ovolo molding between the shaft and the abacus of a Doric column | |
| Verb | 1. | thumb - travel by getting free rides from motorists ride - be carried or travel on or in a vehicle; "I ride to work in a bus"; "He rides the subway downtown every day" |
| 2. | thumb - look through a book or other written material; "He thumbed through the report"; "She leafed through the volume" peruse - examine or consider with attention and in detail; "Please peruse this report at your leisure" | |
| 3. | thumb - feel or handle with the fingers; "finger the binding of the book" touch - make physical contact with, come in contact with; "Touch the stone for good luck"; "She never touched her husband" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
thumb
noun
1. digit She bit her thumb, not looking at me.
verb
2. hitch, request (informal), signal for, hitchhike Thumbing a lift once had a carefree image.
all thumbs clumsy, inept, cack-handed (informal), maladroit, butterfingered (informal), ham-fisted (informal) Can you open this? I'm all thumbs.
thumb through something flick through, browse through, leaf through, glance at, turn over, flip through, skim through, riffle through, scan the pages of, run your eye over He had the drawer open and was thumbing through files.
thumbs down disapproval, refusal, rejection, no, rebuff, negation Brokers have given the firm the thumbs down.
thumbs up approval, go-ahead (informal), acceptance, yes, encouragement, green light, affirmation, O.K. or okay (informal) The film got a general thumbs up from the critics.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
thumb
verbTo look through reading matter casually.Also used with through:
browse, dip into, flip through, glance at (or over) (or through), leaf (through), riffle (through), run through, scan, skim.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
thumb
[θʌm]A. N → pulgar m
he gave me a thumbs-up sign → me indicó con el pulgar que todo iba bien
to be all thumbs I'm all thumbs today → hoy soy un manazas
to twiddle one's thumbs → estar mano sobre mano, estar sin hacer nada
to be under sb's thumb → estar dominado por algn
she's got him under her thumb → le tiene metido en un puño
they gave it the thumbs down → lo rechazaron, lo desaprobaron
they gave it the thumbs up → lo aprobaron
the voters have given him the thumbs up/down → el electorado votó a favor de/en contra de él
see also rule A2
he gave me a thumbs-up sign → me indicó con el pulgar que todo iba bien
to be all thumbs I'm all thumbs today → hoy soy un manazas
to twiddle one's thumbs → estar mano sobre mano, estar sin hacer nada
to be under sb's thumb → estar dominado por algn
she's got him under her thumb → le tiene metido en un puño
they gave it the thumbs down → lo rechazaron, lo desaprobaron
they gave it the thumbs up → lo aprobaron
the voters have given him the thumbs up/down → el electorado votó a favor de/en contra de él
see also rule A2
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
thumb
(θam) noun1. the short thick finger of the hand, set at a different angle from the other four. pulgar
2. the part of a glove or mitten covering this finger. pulgar
verb (often with through) to turn over (the pages of a book) with the thumb or fingers. She was thumbing through the dictionary.hojear; manosear
ˈthumb-nail noun the nail on the thumb. uña del pulgar
ˈthumbprint noun a mark made by pressing the thumb on to a surface, sometimes used as means of identification. impresión del pulgar
ˌthumbs-ˈup noun a sign expressing a wish for good luck, success etc. He gave me the thumbs-up. cruzar los dedos, levantar el pulgar
ˈthumbtack noun (American) a drawing-pin. She hung the picture on the wall with thumbtacks.chincheta
under someone's thumb controlled or greatly influenced by someone. She is completely under her husband's thumb. estar dominado por, estar en las manos de alguien
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
thumb
→ pulgarMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
thumb
n. dedo pulgar;
___ sucking → chuparse el dedo pulgar.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
thumb
n dedo pulgar (de la mano), pulgar m (de la mano)English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.