finger English · revision 4953

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 825|origins=gem-pro *fingraz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈfɪŋ.ɡə/, US /ˈfɪŋ.ɡɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|finger]], [[inh|ang|finger]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[gem-pro|*fingraz]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source also of Dutch vinger, German Finger, Old Norse fingr and Gothic figgrs.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) It has no cognates outside Germanic,^(Etymonline) and is perhaps from [[ine-pro|*pénkʷrós|alt=*penkwrós]], from *pénkwe “five”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) the source of [[five]].^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1988) Hoad compares [[fist]].^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One of the five members of the hand, in a narrower sense not counting the thumb: about 950 in the OED, about 825 in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) As the instrument of work, especially the finger of God, from about 825.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a unit of measure for liquor or the breadth of a finger it is from late Old English.^(Etymonline) Phrases followed: ''lay a finger on'' (mid-16th century), ''burn one's fingers'' (1546), ''point the finger at'' (early 17th century), ''fingers crossed'' (late 19th century) and ''pull one's finger out'' (20th century).^(Cresswell 2021)^(OED 1989) The verb, to touch or point with the finger, is from the early 15th century,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) to play an instrument with the fingers from the 1510s (1515 in the OED),^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and to pilfer from the 1520s.^(Etymonline) To inform on a criminal or point out a victim is underworld slang from 1930.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) ''Fingernail'' is from about 1225, and ''fingerprint'' from 1859.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 825 – a finger.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1225 – ''fingernail''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * early 15th century – verb, to touch.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1515 – to play an instrument.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1530 – to pilfer.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1859 – ''fingerprint''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1930 – to inform on.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # One of the long thin parts at the end of the [[hand]], especially one other than the [[thumb]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The part of a [[glove]] that covers a finger.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something long and narrow like a finger.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The width of a finger, used as a measure of drink in a glass.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To touch or feel with the fingers.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To play an instrument with the fingers in a particular way.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(slang)'' To identify someone to the police; to [[inform]] on.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[fingerer]]

+ * [[fingerless]]

+ * [[fingerlike]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[five]]

+ * [[fist]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}