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Capable of being placed opposite something else; as, the thumb is opposable to the forefinger.

To outlive. Sir P. Sidney. The culture of Northumbria overlived the term of its political supermacy. Earle.

A thin, oval or square board, or tablet, with a thumb hole at one end for holding it, on which a painter lays and mixes his pigments. [Written also pallet.]

See Lady's thumb.

As much as may be taken between the finger and thumb; any very small quantity; as, a pinch of snuff.

t, or preaxial, digit of the fore limb, corresponding to the hallux in the hind limb; the thumb. In birds, the pollex is the joint which bears the bastard wing.

As much as is taken up between the thumb and two first fingers. [Obs.] Bacon.

The act of purging. The preparative for the purge of paganism of the kingdom of Northumberland. Fuller.

because the hind foot is usually prehensile, and the great toe opposable somewhat like a thumb. Formerly the Quadrumana were considered an order distinct from the Bimana, which last included man alone.

ched to the ear, the nose, or some other part of the person; as, a wedding ring. Upon his thumb he had of gold a ring. Chaucer. The dearest ring in Venice will I give you. Shak.

third term as the second has to the first; proportion. See Proportion, 5 (b). -- Rule of thumb, any rude process or operation, like that of using the thumb as a rule in measuring; hence, judgment and practical experience as distinguished from scientific knowledge.

nyson. And bend the pliant sallow to a shield. Fawkes. The sallow knows the basketmaker's thumb. Emerson.

iece held with the guard under the right arm, the hand supported against the hip, and the thumb on the rammer.

A sudden, sharp motion or blow, as with the finger sprung from the thumb, or the thumb from the finger.

The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom.

between two, or three, fingers on one side (which is made slippery, as by saliva) and the thumb on the other side, and delivers it so that it slips off the fingers with the least possible friction. When pitched directly overhand a spit ball darts downward, when pitched with the arm extended sidewise it darts down and o…

A small mouthful, as of liquor or broth; a little taken with the lips; a sip. Tom Thumb had got a little sup. Drayton.

quality; to grow soft and pliable. I have him already tempering between my finger and my thumb, and shortly will I seal with him. Shak.

The prominence of the palm above the base of the thumb; the thenar eminence; the ball of the thumb. Sometimes applied to the corresponding part of the foot.

ith the hand, which also holds the spear, toward the middle, above it with the finger and thumb, the effect being to bring the place of support nearer the center of the spear, and practically lengthen the arm in the act of throwing.