finger etymology

Etymology

The word "finger" is derived from several ancient Proto-Indo-European roots:

• Proto-Indo-European (PIE) penkwe (five)
• PIE *pank- (bend, curve)
• PIE *penḱ- (to pluck or pick up)

Meaning

A finger is one of the five terminal digits of the hand. It consists of a metacarpal bone and three phalanges (bones of the finger). The fingers are used for a wide range of tasks, including:

• Sensing and manipulating objects
• Communicating through gestures
• Playing musical instruments
• Operating tools and machinery

Origin

The exact origin of the word "finger" is unclear, but it is believed that the term evolved through the following stages:

• PIE penkwe (five) > Proto-Germanic fingr (five)
• Proto-Germanic fingr > Old English finger (finger)
• Old English finger > Middle English fynger
• Middle English fynger > Modern English finger

Related Words

The word "finger" is related to several other words with similar meanings, such as:

• Fingernail
• Fingerprint
• Fiddle (stringed instrument played with the fingers)
• Fist (clenched hand)

finger relate terms

• fingering

  Etymology The word fingering originates from the Old English fingeran meaning to t

• finger

  Etymology The word finger is derived from several ancient Proto Indo European roots

• butter fingered

  Etymology The term butterfingered originates from the early 19th century It is a comb

• butter

  Etymology The word butter comes from the Latin butyrum which is derived from the Gre

• finger

  Etymology The word finger is derived from several ancient Proto Indo European roots

• fingerprint

  Etymology The word fingerprint is a compound of two words Finger Referring to the p

• digit

  Etymology The word digit derives from the Latin digitus meaning finger or toe

• feel

  Etymology The word feel comes from the Middle English word felen to feel which in

• dactyl

  Etymology Greek daktulos finger Meaning A digit on the hand or foot A small

• bird

  Etymology The word bird has its roots in Old English where it was spelled bridd or

• date

  Etymology The word date has its origins in the Late Latin word data which means gi

• hangnail

  Etymology Hang From the Old English word hōn meaning to hang or to suspend Nai

• search

  Etymology Origin Greek Etymology Etymos true real logia study of Mean

• chaser

  Etymology Early 17th century in the sense one who hunts something relentlessly

• seek

  Etymology From Middle English seken sekyn from Old English sēčan sēcian from Pro