— thumbless , adj. — thumblike , adj.
/thum/ , 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.
4. Archit. an ovolo or echinus molding.
5. all thumbs , awkward; clumsy; bungling: The visitor almost knocked over a vase and seemed to be all thumbs.
6. thumbs down , a gesture or expression of dissent or disapproval: We turned thumbs down to that suggestion.
7. thumbs up , a gesture or expression of assent or approval.
8. under one's thumb , under the power or influence of; subordinate to. Also, under the thumb of .
v.t.
9. to soil or wear with the thumbs in handling, as the pages of a book.
10. to glance through (the pages of a book, leaflet, etc.) quickly.
11. to play (a guitar or other instrument) with or as with the thumbs.
12. (of a hitchhiker) to solicit or get (a ride) by pointing the thumb in the desired direction of travel.
13. thumb one's nose ,
a. to put one's thumb to one's nose and extend the fingers as a crudely defiant or contemptuous gesture.
b. to express defiance or contempt; dismiss or reject contemptuously.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE thuma; c. D duim, OS, OHG dumo (G Daumen ), ON thumall; akin to L tumere to swell (TUMOR) ]