Definition of "finger" in English

noun

1. (anatomy) A slender jointed extremity of the human hand, (often) exclusive of the thumb.

   • Humans have two hands and ten fingers. Each hand has one thumb and four fingers.

2. (zoology) Similar or similar-looking extremities in other animals, particularly:

3. Something similar in shape to the human finger, particularly:

4. Something similarly extending, (especially) from a larger body, particularly:

   • a finger of land; a finger of smoke

5. Something similar in function or agency to the human finger, (usually) with regard to touching, grasping, or pointing.

6. (units of measure) Various units of measure based or notionally based on the adult human finger, particularly

7. (fashion) A part of a glove intended to cover a finger.

8. (informal, obsolete) Skill in the use of the fingers, as in playing upon a musical instrument.

9. (informal, rare) Someone skilled in the use of their fingers, (especially) a pickpocket.

10. (UK slang) A person.

11. (especially in the phrase 'give someone the finger') An obscene or insulting gesture made by raising one's middle finger towards someone with the palm of one's hand facing inwards.

12. (radio) Any of the individual receivers used in a rake receiver to decode signal components.

13. (vulgar) An act of fingering (inserting a finger into someone's vagina or rectum for sexual pleasure).

verb

1. (transitive) To identify or point out; to blame for something.

2. (transitive) To report to or identify for the authorities; to inform on.

3. (transitive) To poke, probe, feel, or fondle with a finger or fingers.

4. (transitive, sex) To use the fingers to penetrate or sexually stimulate one's own or another person's vulva, vagina, or anus.

5. (transitive, music) To use specified finger positions in producing notes on a musical instrument.

6. (transitive, music) To provide instructions in written music as to which fingers are to be used to produce particular notes or passages.

7. (transitive, Internet) To query (a user's status) using the Finger protocol.

8. (obsolete) To steal; to purloin.

9. (transitive, obsolete) To execute, as any delicate work.