fingers

noun

(anatomy) A slender jointed extremity of the human hand, (often) exclusive of the thumb.

(zoology) Similar or similar-looking extremities in other animals, particularly:

The lower, smaller segment of an arthropod claw.

One of the supporting structures of wings in birds, bats, etc. evolved from earlier toes or fingers.

One of the slender bony structures before the pectoral fins of gurnards and sea robins (Triglidae).

Something similar in shape to the human finger, particularly:

(cooking) Finger-shaped pieces of food.

(chemistry) A tube extending from a sealed system, or sometimes into one in the case of a cold finger.

Something similarly extending, (especially) from a larger body, particularly:

(botany) Various protruding plant structures, as a banana from its hand.

The projections of a reaper or mower which similarly separate the stalks for cutting.

(aviation) Synonym of jet bridge: the narrow elevated walkway connecting a plane to an airport.

(computing theory) A leaf in a finger tree data structure.

Something similar in function or agency to the human finger, (usually) with regard to touching, grasping, or pointing.

(figurative) That which points; an indicator, as of guilt, blame, or suspicion.

(units of measure) Various units of measure based or notionally based on the adult human finger, particularly

(originally US) An informal measure of alcohol based on its height in a given glass compared to the width of the pourer's fingers while holding it.

(fashion) A part of a glove intended to cover a finger.

(UK slang) A person.

(especially in the phrase 'give someone the finger') An obscene or insulting gesture made by raising one's middle finger towards someone with the palm of one's hand facing inwards.

(radio) Any of the individual receivers used in a rake receiver to decode signal components.

(vulgar) An act of fingering (inserting a finger into someone's vagina or rectum for sexual pleasure).

A city in Tennessee.

A surname.

(nautical) Clipping of finger pier (“a shorter, narrower pier projecting from a larger dock”). [A shorter, narrower pier projecting from a larger dock.]

(UK regional, botany, usually in the plural, obsolete) Synonym of foxglove (D. purpurea).

(anatomy, obsolete) A lobe of the liver.

(historical) The teeth parallel to the blade of a scythe, fitted to a wooden frame called a crade.

(obsolete) Synonym of hand, the part of a clock pointing to the hour, minute, or second.

(US, obsolete slang) A policeman or prison guard.

(US, rare slang) An informer to the police, (especially) one who identifies a criminal during a lineup.

(US, rare slang) A criminal who scouts for prospective victims and targets or who performs reconnaissance before a crime.

(historical) Synonym of digit: former units of measure notionally based on its width but variously standardized, (especially) the English digit of ¹⁄₁₆ foot (about 1.9 cm).

(historical) A unit of length notionally based on the length of an adult human's middle finger, standardized as 4½ inches (11.43 cm).

(historical) Synonym of digit: ¹⁄₁₂ the observed diameter of the sun or moon, (especially) with regard to eclipses.

(informal, obsolete) Skill in the use of the fingers, as in playing upon a musical instrument.

(informal, rare) Someone skilled in the use of their fingers, (especially) a pickpocket.

verb

(transitive) To identify or point out; to blame for something.

(transitive) To report to or identify for the authorities; to inform on.

(transitive) To poke, probe, feel, or fondle with a finger or fingers.

(transitive, sex) To use the fingers to penetrate or sexually stimulate one's own or another person's vulva, vagina, or anus.

(transitive, music) To use specified finger positions in producing notes on a musical instrument.

(transitive, music) To provide instructions in written music as to which fingers are to be used to produce particular notes or passages.

(transitive, Internet) To query (a user's status) using the Finger protocol.

(obsolete) To steal; to purloin.

(transitive, obsolete) To execute, as any delicate work.

Synonyms & related words for fingers

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Words related to fingers

Explore words related to fingers — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include fingerbreadth, thumb, digitiform, digit, fingertip, fingered, forefingers, hands. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.