fin·ger
(fĭnǵgər)
[Middle English, from Old English.]
noun
- 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.
verb: -gered, -ger·ing, -gers.
transitive verb
- 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.
- Slang
- To inform on.
- To designate, especially as an intended victim.
intransitive verb
- To handle something with the fingers.
- Music To use the fingers in playing an instrument.
idioms
- have (one's) fingers crossed
- To hope for a successful or advantageous outcome.
- lay (one's) 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 around (one's) little finger
- To dominate utterly and effortlessly.
derivatives
- fińger·er
- noun
- fińger·less
- adjective
