finger

fin·ger (f

1. One of the five digits of the hand, especially one other than the thumb.

2. The part of a glove designed to cover a finger.

3. Something, such as an oblong peninsula, that resembles one of the digits of the hand.

4. The length or width of a finger.

5. A degree of participation; a share: "seems almost sure to have a finger or two in crafting the final blueprint" George B. Merry.

6. An obscene gesture of defiance or derision made by pointing or jabbing the middle finger upward. Often used with the.

v. fin·gered, fin·ger·ing, fin·gers

v.tr.

1. To touch with the fingers; handle. See Synonyms at touch.

2. Music

a. To mark (a score) with indications of which fingers are to play the notes.

b. To play (an instrument) by using the fingers in a particular order or way.

3. Slang

a. To inform on.

b. To designate, especially as an intended victim.

v.intr.

1. To handle something with the fingers.

2. Music To use the fingers in playing an instrument.

Idioms:

have/keep (one's) fingers crossed

To hope for a successful or advantageous outcome.

lay (one's)/a finger on

To locate; find: We haven't been able to lay a finger on those photos.

put (one's) finger on

To remember; recall: I know his name; I just can't put my finger on it.

twist/wrap around (one's) little finger

To dominate utterly and effortlessly.

[Middle English, from Old English; see penk^we in Indo-European roots.]

finger·er n.

finger·less adj.

finger

Noun

1. one of the four long jointed parts of the hand

2. the part of a glove made to cover a finger

3. something that resembles a finger in shape or function

4. a quantity of liquid in a glass as deep as a finger is wide

5. get or pull one's finger out Brit & NZ informal to begin or speed up activity, esp. after initial delay

6. put one's finger on to identify precisely

7. put the finger on Informal to inform on or identify, esp. for the police

8. twist around one's little finger to have easy and complete influence over

Verb

1. to touch or manipulate with the fingers; handle

2. to use one's fingers in playing (a musical instrument)

3. Informal, chiefly US to identify as a criminal or suspect [Old English]

fingerless adj

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	finger - any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb); "her fingers were long and thin" pad - the fleshy cushion-like underside of an animal's foot or of a human's finger hand, manus, mitt, paw - the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb; "he had the hands of a surgeon"; "he extended his mitt" dactyl, digit - a finger or toe in human beings or corresponding body part in other vertebrates extremity - that part of a limb that is farthest from the torso fingertip - the end (tip) of a finger pollex, thumb - the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb forefinger, index finger, index - the finger next to the thumb annualry, ring finger - the third finger (especially of the left hand) middle finger - the second finger; between the index finger and the ring finger little finger, pinkie, pinky - the finger farthest from the thumb fingernail - the nail at the end of a finger knuckle, knuckle joint, metacarpophalangeal joint - a joint of a finger when the fist is closed
	2.	finger - the length of breadth of a finger used as a linear measure finger's breadth, fingerbreadth, digit linear measure, linear unit - a unit of measurement of length
	3.	finger - one of the parts of a glove that provides covering for a finger or thumb covering - an artifact that covers something else (usually to protect or shelter or conceal it) glove - handwear: covers the hand and wrist
Verb	1.	finger - feel or handle with the fingers; "finger the binding of the book" thumb touch - make physical contact with, come in contact with; "Touch the stone for good luck"; "She never touched her husband"
	2.	finger - examine by touch; "Feel this soft cloth!"; "The customer fingered the sweater" feel feel - grope or feel in search of something; "He felt for his wallet"
	3.	finger - search for on the computer; "I fingered my boss and found that he is not logged on in the afternoons" look for, search, seek - try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of; "The police are searching for clues"; "They are searching for the missing man in the entire county"
	4.	finger - indicate the fingering for the playing of musical scores for keyboard instruments point, indicate, designate, show - indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively; "I showed the customer the glove section"; "He pointed to the empty parking space"; "he indicated his opponents"