Thumb word meaning and definition

[noun] a convex molding having a cross section in the form of a quarter of a circle or of an ellipse
[noun] the part of a glove that provides a covering for the thumb
[noun] the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
[verb] feel or handle with the fingers; "finger the binding of the book"
[verb] travel by getting free rides from motorists
[verb] look through a book or other written material; "He thumbed through the report"; "She leafed through the volume"

\Thumb\, n. [OE. thombe, thoumbe, [thorn]ume, AS. [thorn][=u]ma; akin to OFries. th[=u]ma, D. duim, G. daumen, OHG. d[=u]mo, Icel. [thorn]umall, Dan. tommelfinger, Sw. tumme, and perhaps to L. tumere to swell. [root]56. 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\, 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\, v. i. To play with the thumb or thumbs; to play clumsily; to thrum.

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