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Entry 10 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Finger

/(fĭṉ"gẽr)/ · Fin·ger · IPA /ˈfɪŋɡɚ/
01 n. One of the five terminating members of the hand; a digit; esp., one of the four extremities of the hand, other than the thumb.
  1. 1.
    One of the five terminating members of the hand; a digit; esp., one of the four extremities of the hand, other than the thumb.
  2. 2.
    Anything that does the work of a finger; as, the pointer of a clock, watch, or other registering machine;(Mech.)
  3. 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. 4.
    Skill in the use of the fingers, as in playing upon a musical instrument.[R.]
    “She has a good finger.” — Busby.
Phrases & compounds
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 — 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 — a bowl or glass to hold water for rinsing the fingers at table.
Finger flower — the foxglove.
Finger grass — 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 — a marine shell (Pholas dactylus) resembling a finger in form.
Finger sponge — 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.
To have at one's fingers' ends — to be thoroughly familiar with.
02 v. t. To touch with the fingers; to handle; to meddle with.
imp. & p. p. Fingered; p. pr. & vb. n. Fingering
  1. 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. 2.
    To touch lightly; to toy with.
  3. 3.
    To perform on an instrument of music.(Mus.)
  4. 4.
    To take thievishly; to pilfer; to purloin.
  5. 5.
    To execute, as any delicate work.
03 v. i. To use the fingers in playing on an instrument.
  1. 1.
    To use the fingers in playing on an instrument.(Mus.)