thumb

• Doigt court et épais de la main humaine, opposable aux autres doigts, qui permet de saisir les objets ; par extension, partie correspondante d'un gant.

A noun referring to the short, thick first digit of the human hand, set apart from the other four fingers and opposable to them.

1. Body partA1formal

   The short, thick first digit of the human hand, set opposite to the other four fingers.

   pouce (doigt)

   • He accidentally hit his thumb with a hammer.
   • She gave a thumbs-up sign to show her approval.
   • The baby sucked his thumb for comfort.

   Synonymespollex

2. Measurement unitB1informal

   An informal unit of length equal to the width of a thumb, approximately one inch.

   pouce (unité de mesure)

   • The gap was about a thumb wide.
   • He measured the board using his thumb as a guide.
   • The recipe called for a thumb-sized piece of ginger.

• Verbe signifiant toucher, presser ou manipuler quelque chose avec le pouce, ou faire signe en levant le pouce.

A verb meaning to press, touch, or manipulate something with the thumb, or to signal by sticking out the thumb.

1. Press with thumbB1informal

   To press, touch, or manipulate something using the thumb.

   presser avec le pouce

   • He thumbed the button to start the machine.
   • She thumbed through the pages of the magazine.
   • He thumbed the remote control to change the channel.

   Synonymesmanipulatepresspushtouch

2. HitchhikeB2informal

   To travel by getting free rides from passing vehicles, typically by signaling with the thumb.

   faire du stop

   • They thumbed a ride to the coast.
   • He thumbed his way across the country.
   • She thumbed a lift from a friendly truck driver.

   Synonymeshitchhitchhike

3. Signal disapprovalB2informal

   To express disapproval or rejection by pointing the thumb downward.

   Exprimer son désaccord en baissant le pouce

   • The audience thumbed down the performance.
   • The committee thumbed the proposal.
   • Critics thumbed the movie as a failure.

   Synonymesturn thumbs down

   Antonymesapproveendorse