—v. (-mm-) 1 play (a stringed instrument) monotonously or unskilfully.

- (often foll. By on) drum idly. —n. - such playing.

- resulting sound. [imitative]

- n. - unwoven end of a warp-thread, or the whole of such ends, left when the finished web is cut away.

- any short loose thread. [old english]

index n. Set of lettered grooves cut down the side of a book for easy reference.

- —n. - short thick finger on the human hand, set apart from the other four.

- part of a glove etc. For a thumb. —v. - wear or soil (pages etc.) With a thumb.

- turn over pages with or as with a thumb (thumbed through the directory).

- request or get (a lift) by signalling with a raised thumb.

- use the thumb in a gesture. thumb one's nose = cock a snook (see *snook). Thumbs down indication of rejection. Thumbs up indication of satisfaction or approval. Under a person's thumb completely dominated by a person. [old english]

—v. - beat or strike heavily, esp. With the fist.

- throb strongly.

- (foll. By at, on, etc.) Knock loudly. —n. - heavy blow.

- dull sound of this. [imitative]

n. Any of several herbs with aromatic leaves. [greek thumon]

n. - jewelled ornamental band worn on the front of a woman's hair.

- three-crowned diadem worn by a pope. tiaraed adj. [latin from greek]

n. (pl. Tibiae) anat. Inner of two bones extending from the knee to the ankle. tibial adj. [latin]

adj. Relating to, like, or affected by tides. tidally adv.

- wave n. - exceptionally large ocean wave, esp. One caused by an underwater earthquake.

- widespread manifestation of feeling etc.

n. - connection or association.

- joint promotion of related commodities etc. (e.g. A book and a film).

n. Connection, association.

lily n. Tall garden lily with dark-spotted orange flowers.

- moth n. Moth with richly spotted and streaked wings.

- n. - large asian animal of the cat family, with a yellow-brown coat with black stripes.

- fierce, energetic, or formidable person. [greek tigris]