fingering

American  

[fing-ger-ing] / ˈfɪŋ gər ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person who fingers.

2. Music.

   1. the action or method of using the fingers in playing on an instrument.

   2. the indication of the way the fingers are to be used in performing a piece of music.

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fingering ¹ British  

/ ˈfɪŋɡərɪŋ /

noun

1. the technique or art of using one's fingers in playing a musical instrument, esp the piano

2. the numerals in a musical part indicating this

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fingering ² British  

/ ˈfɪŋɡərɪŋ /

noun

1. fine wool for knitting

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Etymology

Origin of fingering

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; finger, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

He stood over it muttering to himself, thoughtfully fingering a filament of his mustache.

From Literature

Lola kept fingering the broken part of her face as if she couldn’t stop.

From Literature

For more than a decade, scientists have debated which animals alive today hail from that earliest sister, fingering two phyla as the most likely candidates: sponges and comb jellies.

From Science Magazine

He largely taught himself to play the oboe and English horn, using a book that showed the fingerings.

From New York Times

She had a leopard scarf elegantly wrapped around her head and was fingering a glittering ring and staring blankly into the distance.

From Reuters