Chapter Throw-crook to Thunder of T by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

Cf. Thimble, Tumid.] The short, thick first digit of the human hand, differing from the other fingers in having but two phalanges; the pollex. See Pollex.

Upon his thumb he had of gold a ring.

Chaucer.

Thumb band, a twist of anything as thick as the thumb. Mortimer. — Thumb blue, indigo in the form of small balls or lumps, used by washerwomen to blue linen, and the like. — Thumb latch, a door latch having a lever formed to be pressed by the thumb. — Thumb mark. (a) The mark left by the impression of a thumb, as on the leaves of a book. Longfellow. (b) The dark spot over each foot in finely bred black and tan terriers. — Thumb nut, a nut for a screw, having wings to grasp between the thumb and fingers in turning it; also, a nut with a knurled rim for the same perpose. — Thumb ring, a ring worn on the thumb. Shak. — Thumb stall. (a) A kind of thimble or ferrule of iron, or leather, for protecting the thumb in making sails, and in other work. (b) (Mil.) A buckskin cushion worn on the thumb, and used to close the vent of a cannon while it is sponged, or loaded. — Under one's thumb, completely under one's power or influence; in a condition of subservience. [Colloq.]

Thumb
(Thumb), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Thumbed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Thumbing ]

1. To handle awkwardly. Johnson.

2. To play with the thumbs, or with the thumbs and fingers; as, to thumb over a tune.

3. To soil or wear with the thumb or the fingers; to soil, or wear out, by frequent handling; also, to cover with the thumb; as, to thumb the touch-hole of a cannon.

He gravely informed the enemy that all his cards had been thumbed to pieces, and begged them to let him have a few more packs.

Macaulay.

Thumb
(Thumb), v. i. To play with the thumb or thumbs; to play clumsily; to thrum.

Thumbbird
(Thumb"bird`) n. The goldcrest. [Prov. Eng.]

Thumbed
(Thumbed) a.

1. Having thumbs.

2. Soiled by handling.

Thumbkin
(Thumb"kin) n. An instrument of torture for compressing the thumb; a thumbscrew.

Thumbless
(Thumb"less), a. Without a thumb. Darwin.

Thumbscrew
(Thumb"screw`) n.

1. A screw having a flat-sided or knurled head, so that it may be turned by the thumb and forefinger.

2. An old instrument of torture for compressing the thumb by a screw; a thumbkin.

Thummie
(Thum"mie) n. The chiff-chaff. [Prov. Eng.]

Thummim
(Thum"mim) n. pl. [Heb., pl. of thom perfection.] A mysterious part or decoration of the breastplate of the Jewish high priest. See the note under Urim.

Thump
(Thump) n. [Probably of imitative origin; perhaps influenced by dump, v.t.]