Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

fin·ger       (fĭng'gər)  Pronunciation Key  n.   One of the five digits of the hand, especially one other than the thumb. The part of a glove designed to cover a finger. Something, such as an oblong peninsula, that resembles one of the digits of the hand. The length or width of a finger. A degree of participation; a share: "seems almost sure to have a finger or two in crafting the final blueprint" (George B. Merry). 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. To touch with the fingers; handle. See Synonyms at touch. Music To mark (a score) with indications of which fingers are to play the notes. To play (an instrument) by using the fingers in a particular order or way. To inform on. To designate, especially as an intended victim. Slang To inform on. To designate, especially as an intended victim. v.   intr. To handle something with the fingers. Music To use the fingers in playing an instrument. [Middle English, from Old English; see penkwe in Indo-European roots.] fin'ger·er n., fin'ger·less adj.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
finger 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

finger
noun
1.	any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb); "her fingers were long and thin"
2.	the length of breadth of a finger used as a linear measure
3.	one of the parts of a glove that provides covering for a finger or thumb
verb
1.	feel or handle with the fingers; "finger the binding of the book"
2.	examine by touch; "Feel this soft cloth!"; "The customer fingered the sweater" [syn: feel]
3.	search for on the computer; "I fingered my boss and found that he is not logged on in the afternoons"
4.	indicate the fingering for the playing of musical scores for keyboard instruments

American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

finger

In addition to the idiom beginning with finger, also see at one's fingertips; burn one's fingers; cross one's fingers; give someone the finger; lay a finger on; let slip (through the fingers); not lift a finger; point the finger at; put one's finger on; put the finger on; snap one's fingers at; sticky fingers; twist around one's finger; work one's fingers to the bone.

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

finger fin·ger (fĭng'gər)
n.
One of the five digits of the hand, especially one other than the thumb.

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: fin·ger
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: fin·gered; fin·ger·ing
: to accuse or identify as guilty fingered simply because he fit the stereotype of a young, black street criminal —Jack Ewing>

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

finger tool
A Unix program that displays information about a particular user or all users logged on the system, or a remote system. Finger typically shows full name, last login time, idle time, terminal line, and terminal location (where applicable). It may also display a plan file left by the user (see also Hacking X for Y). Some versions take a "-l" (long) argument which yields more information.
[The Jargon File]
(2002-10-06)

Jargon File - Cite This Source - Share This

finger

[WAITS, via BSD Unix]
1. n. A program that displays information about a particular user or all users logged on the system, or a remote system. Typically shows full name, last login time, idle time, terminal line, and terminal location (where applicable). May also display a plan file left by the user (see also Hacking X for Y).
2. vt. To apply finger to a username.
3. vt. By extension, to check a human's current state by any means. "Foodp?" "T!" "OK, finger Lisa and see if she's idle."
4. Any picture (composed of ASCII characters) depicting `the finger'. Originally a humorous component of one's plan file to deter the curious fingerer (sense 2), it has entered the arsenal of some flamers.

U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Finger, TN (city, FIPS 26160) Location: 35.35474 N, 88.61548 W
Population (1990): 279 (120 housing units)
Area: 3.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 38334

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Finger

Fin"ger\, n. [AS. finger; akin to D. vinger, OS. & OHG. fingar, G. finger, Icel. fingr, Sw. & Dan. finger, Goth. figgrs; of unknown origin; perh. akin to E. fang.]

1. One of the five terminating members of the hand; a digit; esp., one of the four extermities of the hand, other than the thumb.

2. Anything that does work of a finger; as, the pointer of a clock, watch, or other registering machine; especially (Mech.) a small projecting rod, wire, or piece, which is brought into contact with an object to effect, direct, or restrain a motion.

3. The breadth of a finger, or the fourth part of the hand; a measure of nearly an inch; also, the length of finger, a measure in domestic use in the United States, of about four and a half inches or one eighth of a yard.

A piece of steel three fingers thick. --Bp. Wilkins.

4. Skill in the use of the fingers, as in playing upon a musical instrument. [R.]

She has a good finger. --Busby.

Ear finger, the little finger.

Finger alphabet. See Dactylology.

Finger bar, the horizontal bar, carrying slotted spikes, or fingers, through which the vibratory knives of mowing and reaping machines play.

Finger board (Mus.), the part of a stringed instrument against which the fingers press the strings to vary the tone; the keyboard of a piano, organ, etc.; manual.

Finger bowl or glass, a bowl or glass to hold water for rinsing the fingers at table.

Finger flower (Bot.), the foxglove.

Finger grass (Bot.), a kind of grass (Panicum sanguinale) with slender radiating spikes; common crab grass. See Crab grass, under Crab.

Finger nut, a fly nut or thumb nut.

Finger plate, a strip of metal, glass, etc., to protect a painted or polished door from finger marks.

Finger post, a guide post bearing an index finger.

Finger reading, reading printed in relief so as to be sensible to the touch; -- so made for the blind.

Finger shell (Zo["o]l.), a marine shell (Pholas dactylus) resembling a finger in form.

Finger sponge (Zo["o]l.), a sponge having finger-shaped lobes, or branches.

Finger stall, a cover or shield for a finger.

Finger steel, a steel instrument for whetting a currier's knife.

To burn one's fingers. See under Burn.

To have a finger in, to be concerned in. [Colloq.]

To have at one's fingers' ends, to be thoroughly familiar with. [Colloq.]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Finger

Fin"ger\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fingered; p. pr. & vb. n. Fingering.]

1. To touch with the fingers; to handle; to meddle with.

Let the papers lie; You would be fingering them to anger me. --Shak.

2. To touch lightly; to toy with.

3. (Mus.) (a) To perform on an instrument of music. (b) To mark the notes of (a piece of music) so as to guide the fingers in playing.

4. To take thievishly; to pilfer; to purloin. --Shak.

5. To execute, as any delicate work.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Finger

Fin"ger\, v. i. (Mus.) To use the fingers in playing on an instrument. --Busby.