from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Thumb \Thumb\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Thumbed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Thumbing}.]
1. To handle awkwardly. --Johnson.
[1913 Webster]
2. To play with the thumbs, or with the thumbs and fingers;
as, to thumb over a tune.
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3. To soil or wear with the thumb or the fingers; to soil, or
wear out, by frequent handling; also, to cover with the
thumb; as, to thumb the touch-hole of a cannon.
[1913 Webster]
He gravely informed the enemy that all his cards had
been thumbed to pieces, and begged them to let him
have a few more packs. --Macaulay.
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