rule-of-thumbˈ adjective

According to rule of thumb (see below)

as a rule

Usually

be ruled

Take advice

rule of faith

In polemical theology, the authoritative sources of the doctrines of the faith

rule of the road

The regulations to be observed in traffic by land, water or air (eg in Britain drivers, riders and cyclists take the left side in meeting, and the right in overtaking)

rule of three

The method of finding the fourth term of a proportion when three are given

rule of thumb

Any rough-and-ready practical method

rule (or rules) OK (slang; orig a gang slogan, chiefly found in graffiti)

To be dominant, have the ascendancy

rule out

To exclude as a choice or possibility

rule the roost see under roast

thumb /thum/

noun

1. The short, thick digit, consisting of two phalanges, on the radial side of the human hand
2. The part of a glove that covers it
3. The corresponding digit in other animals, or that of the hind foot, esp when opposable
4. A thumb's breadth, an inch

transitive verb

1. To play, spread, press, touch, wear or smudge with the thumb
2. To read intensively
3. To turn (the pages of a book, etc) rapidly with the thumb (also intransitive verb with through)
4. To signal to with the thumb
5. To hit (in the eye) with the thumb (boxing)
6. To handle awkwardly

thumbed adjective

1. Having thumbs
2. Marked by the thumb, worn

thumbˈikins or thumbˈkins plural noun (Scot)

The thumbscrew

thumbˈless adjective

thumbˈlike adjective

thumbˈling noun

A pygmy

thumbˈy adjective

1. Grubby with thumb marks
2. Like thumbs, clumsy, awkward

thumb hole noun

A hole to insert the thumb in

thumb index noun

One arranged as indentations on the outer margins of the pages of books, to facilitate quick reference to a particular place

thumb-inˈdex transitive verb

To provide with a thumb index

thumb knot noun

An overhand knot

thumb latch noun

A latch worked by pressure of the thumb

thumb mark noun

1. A mark left by the thumb, eg on a book
2. A thumbprint

thumbˈ-marked adjective

thumbˈnail noun

1. The nail of the thumb
2. A sketch (more usu thumbˈnail sketch) as small as a thumbnail
3. A miniature version of a graphic image (computing)

adjective

Brief, concise

thumbˈnut noun

A butterfly nut

thumb piano noun

An mbira (qv)

thumbˈpiece noun

A piece that is pressed by the thumb or receives the thumb

thumbˈpot noun

A very small flowerpot

thumbˈprint noun

An impression of the markings of the thumb, taken as a means of identification

thumb ring noun

1. A ring worn on the thumb (Shakespeare)
2. A ring to protect an archer's thumb

thumbˈscrew noun

1. An old instrument of torture for compressing the thumb by means of a screw
2. A type of screw with a raised head, able to be turned using the thumb and forefinger

thumbs-down, thumbs-up see thumbs down and thumbs up below.

thumbˈstall noun

A covering or sheath for the thumb

thumbˈtack noun (N American)

A drawing pin

be all (fingers and) thumbs, one's fingers are all thumbs or have one's fingers all thumbs

To be awkward and fumbling

bite one's thumb

To make a sign threatening revenge

keep one's thumb on

To keep secret

rule of thumb

A rough-and-ready practical method, found by experience to be convenient

thumb a lift or ride (informal)

To beg a lift from passing motorists by signalling from the side of the road with the thumb

thumb one's nose

To cock a snook (lit and figurative) (see under snook²)

thumbs down

A sign indicating disapproval, prohibition, failure, etc (also figurative; see also pollice verso; thumbs-downˈ noun)

thumbs up

1. A sign indicating approval, success, hope of, or wishes for, success, etc (also figurative
2. Thumbs-upˈ noun

).

under one's thumb

Under one's domination