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under thumb

 - 3 dictionary results

thumb

  [thuhm] ,
Use under thumb in a Sentence
–noun
1. the short, thick, inner digit of the human hand, next to the forefinger.
2. the corresponding digit in other animals; pollex.
3. the part of a glove or mitten for containing this digit.
4. Architecture. an ovolo or echinus molding.
–verb (used with object)
5. to soil or wear with the thumbs in handling, as the pages of a book.
6. to glance through (the pages of a book, leaflet, etc.) quickly.
7. to play (a guitar or other instrument) with or as with the thumbs.
8. (of a hitchhiker) to solicit or get (a ride) by pointing the thumb in the desired direction of travel.
—Idioms
9. all thumbs, awkward; clumsy; bungling: The visitor almost knocked over a vase and seemed to be all thumbs.
10. thumb one's nose,
a. to put one's thumb to one's nose and extend the fingers as a crudely defiant or contemptuous gesture.
b. to express defiance or contempt; dismiss or reject contemptuously.
11. thumbs down, a gesture or expression of dissent or disapproval: We turned thumbs down to that suggestion.
12. thumbs up, a gesture or expression of assent or approval.
13. under one's thumb, under the power or influence of; subordinate to. Also, under the thumb of.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE thūma; c. D duim, OS, OHG dūmo (G Daumen), ON thumall; akin to L tumēre to swell ( tumor )

Related forms:
thumbless, adjective
thumblike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: thumb
Pronunciation: 'th&m
Function: noun
: the short and thick first or most preaxial digit of the human hand that differs from the otherfingers in having only two phalanges, in having greater freedom of movement, and in being opposable to the other fingers
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

thumb (thŭm)
n.
The short thick digit of the human hand, next to the index finger and opposable to each of the other four digits.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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