thumb
noun
the short, thick, inner digit of the human hand, next to the forefinger.
had thumbed
-
past perfectof thumb.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I had thumbed through my old passport countless times while waiting to board flights or in endless security lines.
From New York Times ● Feb. 28, 2020
The Times had been slow to adapt to the emergence of new digital platforms; it had thumbed its nose at the internet and thus the future.
From New York Times ● Jan. 22, 2019
It was as if the replicators had thumbed the scales against the pen-in-mouth effect.
From Slate ● Aug. 28, 2016
Zhang Xuezhong, one of two lawyers defending Liu, said the authorities had thumbed their noses at legal procedure ahead of the trial, which boded badly for the case.
From Reuters ● Oct. 27, 2013
His companion, a dull-witted older boy by the name of Edmund, had thumbed his nose at me, putting me more out of temper.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
