Thumb, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Thumbed p. pr. & vb. n. Thumbing ]
1. To handle awkwardly.
2. To play with the thumbs, or with the thumbs and fingers; as, to thumb over a tune.
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.
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.
Thumbed a.
1. Having thumbs.
2. Soiled by handling.
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thumbed
adj : (of pages) worn or soiled by thumb and fingers by frequent
handling or turning; "well-thumbed pages of the
dictionary"