1. The thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
   "The pollex, or thumb, allows humans to grasp objects with precision";
   - pollex
    
2. The part of a glove that provides a covering for the thumb
   "The thumb of his work glove had worn through from constant use"
    
3. A convex moulding having a cross section in the form of a quarter of a circle or of an ellipse
   "The carpenter added a thumb moulding to the cabinet for a decorative touch";
   - ovolo, quarter round

1. Feel or handle with the fingers
   "thumb the binding of the book";
   - finger
    
2. Look through a book or other written material
   "He thumbed through the report";
   - flick, flip, riffle, leaf, riff
    
3. Travel by getting free rides from motorists
   "You can, of course, thumb anywhere that there are cars and traffic";
   - hitchhike, hitch

Derived forms: thumbed, thumbing, thumbs

Type of: covering, finger, molding [N. Amer], moulding [Brit, Cdn], peruse, ride, touch

Part of: glove

Encyclopedia: Thumb, Peter