opposable thumb

[ ə-pō′zə-bəl ]

A thumb that can be placed opposite the fingers of the same hand. Opposable thumbs allow the digits to grasp and handle objects and are characteristic of primates.

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Words nearby opposable thumb

opportunistic infection, opportunity, opportunity cost, opportunity shop, opposable, opposable thumb, oppose, opposed-cylinder, opposed-piston engine, opposeless, opposer muscle of little finger
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for opposable thumb

opposable thumb

A thumb that can be used for grasping.

notes for opposable thumb

Opposable thumbs are one of the distinguishing features of primates.

notes for opposable thumb

The opposable thumb of human beings allows us to use tools.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.