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.]