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fingering - 5 dictionary results

fin⋅ger⋅ing

  [fing-ger-ing]
Use fingering in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act of a person who fingers.
2. Music.
a. the action or method of using the fingers in playing on an instrument.
b. the indication of the way the fingers are to be used in performing a piece of music.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME; see finger, -ing 1

fin⋅ger

  [fing-ger]
–noun
1. any of the terminal members of the hand, esp. one other than the thumb.
2. a part of a glove made to receive a finger.
3. the breadth of a finger as a unit of measurement; digit.
4. the length of a finger: approximately 4 1/2 in. (11 cm).
5. Slang. an informer or spy.
6. something like a finger in form or use, as a projection or pointer: a finger of land leading out into the bay; the finger on the speedometer.
7. any of various projecting parts of machines.
–verb (used with object)
8. to touch with the fingers; toy or meddle with; handle.
9. to touch with the fingers so as to mar or spoil: Please don't finger the vegetables.
10. to pilfer; filch.
11. Music.
a. to play on (an instrument) with the fingers.
b. to perform or mark (a passage of music) with a certain fingering.
12. Slang.
a. to inform against or identify (a criminal) to the authorities: He fingered the man who robbed the bank.
b. to designate as a victim, as of murder or other crime.
–verb (used without object)
13. to touch or handle something with the fingers.
14. to extend in or as in the shape of a finger: Landing piers finger out into the river along the city's shoreline.
—Idioms
15. burn one's fingers, to suffer injury or loss by meddling or by acting rashly: If you get involved in the controversy, you may burn your fingers.
16. give (someone) the finger, Slang. to express contempt for by or as by the obscene gesture of pointing the middle finger upward while folding the other fingers against the palm.
17. have a finger in the pie,
a. to have an interest or share in something.
b. to meddle in something.
18. keep one's fingers crossed, to wish for good luck or success, as in a specific endeavor: Keep your fingers crossed that I get the job.
19. lay or put one's finger on,
a. to indicate exactly; remember: I know the name, but I can't put my finger on it.
b. to discover; locate: I haven't been able to lay my finger on the book you requested.
20. not lift a finger, to make not even a small attempt; do nothing: The house was falling into ruin, but he wouldn't lift a finger to repair it.
21. put the finger on, Slang. finger (def. 12).
22. slip through one's fingers,
a. to elude one, as an opportunity not taken; escape: She let the chance of a lifetime slip through her fingers.
b. to pass or be consumed quickly: Money just slips through his fingers.
23. snap one's fingers (at), to exhibit disdain or contempt (for): She snaps her fingers at the local gossip.
24. twist or wrap around one's little finger, to exert one's influence easily or successfully upon: He has a remarkable talent for twisting people around his little finger.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME, OE; c. G Finger, D vinger, ON fingr, Goth figgrs

Related forms:
fin⋅ger⋅er, noun
fin⋅ger⋅less, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To fingering
fin·ger   (fĭng'gər)   
n.  
  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
    1. To mark (a score) with indications of which fingers are to play the notes.
    2. To play (an instrument) by using the fingers in a particular order or way.
    3. To inform on.
    4. To designate, especially as an intended victim.
  3. Slang
    1. To inform on.
    2. 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.

[Middle English, from Old English; see penkwe in Indo-European roots.]
fin'ger·er n., fin'ger·less adj.
fin·ger·ing   (fĭng'gər-ĭng)   
n.  
  1. The technique used in playing a musical instrument with the fingers.
  2. The indication on a musical score of which fingers are to be used in playing.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Fingering

Fin"ger*ing\, n. 1. The act or process of handling or touching with the fingers.

The mere sight and fingering of money. --Grew.

2. The manner of using the fingers in playing or striking the keys of an instrument of music; movement or management of the fingers in playing on a musical instrument, in typewriting, etc.

3. The marking of the notes of a piece of music to guide or regulate the action or use of the fingers.

4. Delicate work made with the fingers. --Spenser.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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