thumb
UK: θʌm | US: θʌm
n. the short, thick first digit of the human hand, set lower and apart from the other four
v. to press, touch, or indicate with the thumb
v. (informal) to request or obtain (a ride) by signaling with the thumb
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The word "thumb" traces back to Old English þūma, derived from Proto-Germanic þūmô. It shares roots with Dutch duim and German Daumen. Unlike many body part terms, "thumb" has remained morphologically intact over centuries, resisting further segmentation into prefixes/roots/suffixes. Its Germanic origin reflects a core vocabulary item preserved with minimal alteration.
She accidentally hit her thumb with the hammer.
He thumbed through the pages of the book impatiently.
Travelers often thumb a ride on rural highways.
The baby sucked its thumb contentedly.
Press the button with your thumb to activate the device.