fingerprint

[fing-ger-print]

noun

1. an impression of the markings of the inner surface of the last joint of the thumb or other finger.

2. such an impression made with ink for purposes of identification.

3. any unique or distinctive pattern that presents unambiguous evidence of a specific person, substance, disease, etc.

verb (used with object)

1. to take or record the fingerprints of.

fingerprint

/ ˈfɪŋɡəˌprɪnt /

noun

1. an impression of the pattern of ridges on the palmar surface of the end joint of each finger and thumb

2. any identifying characteristic

3. biochem the pattern of fragments obtained when a protein is digested by a proteolytic enzyme, usually observed following two-dimensional separation by chromatography and electrophoresis

verb

1. (tr) to take an inked impression of the fingerprints of (a person)

2. to take a sample of (a person's) DNA

fingerprint

1. The impression or mark left by the underside of the tips of the fingers or thumbs. The impression is formed by a pattern of ridges on the skin surface. This pattern is unique for each individual and therefore can serve as a means of identification. (Compare DNA fingerprinting.)

Fingerprinting is used extensively in criminal investigation, but it is also used as a means of identification by many organizations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fingerprint¹

First recorded in 1855–60; finger + print

Example Sentences

The piano-black plastic material on the console and around door switches might actually be haunted; fingerprints appear mysteriously overnight.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The system uses machine learning to analyze millions of immune-cell receptors—the molecular fingerprints left as the body responds to threats—and detect patterns linked to autoimmune activity.

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"They are fingerprints of Earth's earliest history. If we can understand why they exist, we can understand how our planet formed and why it became habitable."

Read more on Science Daily

By applying machine learning, the team trained computer models to recognize faint molecular fingerprints left by living organisms long after the original biomolecules were destroyed.

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“The risks are that we start to feel like a rental house and don’t have our fingerprints on something that we stand by that goes to New York,” Stone said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times