2. Anything that does work of a finger; as, the pointer of a
clock, watch, or other registering machine; especially
(Mech.) a small projecting rod, wire, or piece, which is
brought into contact with an object to effect, direct, or
restrain a motion.
3. The breadth of a finger, or the fourth part of the hand; a
measure of nearly an inch; also, the length of finger, a
measure in domestic use in the United States, of about
four and a half inches or one eighth of a yard.
A piece of steel three fingers thick. --Bp. Wilkins.
4. Skill in the use of the fingers, as in playing upon a
musical instrument. [R.]
She has a good finger. --Busby.
{Ear finger}, the little finger.
{Finger alphabet}. See {Dactylology}.
{Finger bar}, the horizontal bar, carrying slotted spikes, or
fingers, through which the vibratory knives of mowing and
reaping machines play.
{Finger board} (Mus.), the part of a stringed instrument
against which the fingers press the strings to vary the
tone; the keyboard of a piano, organ, etc.; manual.
{Finger} {bowl or glass}, a bowl or glass to hold water for
rinsing the fingers at table.
{Finger flower} (Bot.), the foxglove.
{Finger grass} (Bot.), a kind of grass ({Panicum sanguinale})
with slender radiating spikes; common crab grass. See
{Crab grass}, under {Crab}.
{Finger nut}, a fly nut or thumb nut.
{Finger plate}, a strip of metal, glass, etc., to protect a
painted or polished door from finger marks.
{Finger post}, a guide post bearing an index finger.
{Finger reading}, reading printed in relief so as to be
sensible to the touch; -- so made for the blind.
{Finger shell} (Zo["o]l.), a marine shell ({Pholas dactylus})
resembling a finger in form.
{Finger sponge} (Zo["o]l.), a sponge having finger-shaped
lobes, or branches.
{Finger stall}, a cover or shield for a finger.
{Finger steel}, a steel instrument for whetting a currier's
knife.
{To burn one's fingers}. See under {Burn}.
{To have a finger in}, to be concerned in. [Colloq.]
{To have at one's fingers' ends}, to be thoroughly familiar
with. [Colloq.]
Let the papers lie; You would be fingering them to
anger me. --Shak.
2. To touch lightly; to toy with.
3. (Mus.)
(a) To perform on an instrument of music.
(b) To mark the notes of (a piece of music) so as to guide
the fingers in playing.
4. To take thievishly; to pilfer; to purloin. --Shak.
5. To execute, as any delicate work.