finger mark

American  

Or fingermark

noun

1. a mark, especially a smudge or stain, made by a finger.

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Other Word Forms

• finger-marked adjective

Etymology

Origin of finger mark

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

It was written in great agitation and almost illegible, and at the bottom of the paper there was a dirty smudge that might have been a tear stain or a finger mark.

From Fortitude by Walpole, Hugh, Sir

Timothy: Why wouldn't I, and she at this minute fighting and barging at some poor travelling man, saying he laid a finger mark of bacon-grease upon the lintel of the door.

From Three Wonder Plays by Gregory, Lady

When the old lady’s keen eyes, reinforced by her strongest glasses, were unable to discern so much as a finger mark upon anything, Iris knew that it was clean, and not before.

From The Master's Violin by Reed, Myrtle

There's glass knobs on all the doors as will show every finger mark, and will keep me busy wiping from dawn to dark.

From Susan Clegg and Her Love Affairs by Warner, Anne

She said that the person was trying to erase God's finger mark upon the human soul who would prevent anybody, man or woman, from following natural bent and ability in any avocation.

From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume II by Stanton, Elizabeth Cady