thumb
thumb
UK[θʌm]US[θʌm]
n
The short, thick first digit of the human hand, set lower and apart from the other four and opposable to them.
n
The part of a glove or mitten that covers the thumb.
v
To press, move, or indicate something with one's thumb.
v
To turn over pages with or as if with one's thumb, typically to read quickly.
Etymology
The word "thumb" originates from the Old English þūma, which is related to the Old High German dūmo and Old Norse þumall. These terms can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic þūmô, likely derived from the Proto-Indo-European root tūm-, meaning "to swell" or "thick," a reference to the digit's stoutness. This etymological journey highlights a direct, physical naming logic, where the defining characteristic of size and thickness gave the digit its name. The modern spelling with a silent 'b' emerged in the late Middle English period, influenced by the spelling of related words like "dumb," though the 'b' has never been pronounced in standard English.
Analysis
The word "thumb" is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes within modern English spelling.
Examples
She accidentally hit her thumb with the hammer.
He gave a thumbs-up to show his approval.
She quickly thumbed through the magazine while waiting.