I. ˈfiŋ-gər noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German fingar finger
Date: before 12th century
1. : any of the five terminating members of the hand : a digit of the forelimb ; especially : one other than the thumb
2.
a. : something that resembles a finger
a narrow finger of land
b. : a part of a glove into which a finger is inserted
c. : a projecting piece (as a pawl for a ratchet) brought into contact with an object to affect its motion
3. : the breadth of a finger
4. : interest , share — often used in the phrase have a finger in the pie
5. : bird 10 — usually used with the
• fin·ger·like -ˌlīk adjective
II. verb
( fin·gered ; fin·ger·ing -g(ə-)riŋ)
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to touch or feel with the fingers
2.
a. : to play (a musical instrument) with the fingers
b. : to play (as notes or chords) with a specific fingering
c. : to mark the notes of (a music score) as a guide in playing
3. : to point out : identify
4. : to extend into or penetrate in the shape of a finger
intransitive verb
1. : to touch or handle something
2.
a. : to use the fingers in playing a musical instrument
b. : to have a certain fingering — used of a musical instrument
3. : to extend in the shape or manner of a finger