finger Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
- her fingers were long and thin
noun the length of breadth of a finger used as a linear measure
finger's breadth; fingerbreadth; digit.
noun one of the parts of a glove that provides covering for a finger or thumb
verb feel or handle with the fingers
thumb.
- finger the binding of the book
verb examine by touch
feel.
- Feel this soft cloth!
- The customer fingered the sweater
verb search for on the computer
- I fingered my boss and found that he is not logged on in the afternoons
verb indicate the fingering for the playing of musical scores for keyboard instruments

AS. finger; akin to D. vinger, OS. & OHG. fingar, G. finger, Icel. fingr, Sw. & Dan. finger, Goth. figgrs; of unknown origin; perh. akin to E. fang.

One of the five terminating members of the hand; a digit; esp., one of the four extermities of the hand, other than the thumb.
Anything that does work of a finger; as, the pointer of a clock, watch, or other registering machine; especially (Mech.) a small projecting rod, wire, or piece, which is brought into contact with an object to effect, direct, or restrain a motion.
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.
Skill in the use of the fingers, as in playing upon a musical instrument. R.
She has a good finger. Busby.

imperfect & past participle Fingered ; present participle & verbal noun Fingering

To touch with the fingers; to handle; to meddle with.
Let the papers lie; You would be fingering them to anger me. Shak.
To touch lightly; to toy with.
(Mus.) (a) To perform on an instrument of music. (b) To mark the notes of (a piece of music) so as to guide the fingers in playing.
To take thievishly; to pilfer; to purloin. Shak.
To execute, as any delicate work.