α. see finger n. tip n.1
β. 1600s fingers tip, 1700s– finger's tip.
fingertipn.adj.
/ˈfɪŋɡətɪp/, U.S. /ˈfɪŋɡərˌtɪp/ Chiefly in β. forms before the 19th cent.
A. n.
The tip of a person's finger. Cf. finger end n.
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the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > digit > finger > [noun] > parts of
lithc1000
finger endc1300
fingertip1534
finger joint1657
pulp1686
finger point1823
α.
β. 1619 T. Gataker Of Nature & Use Lots viii. 240 Delights of this kinde being well compared vnto Hony, with the fingers tip to be taken rather then with the whole hand.1637 J. Milton Comus 31 Thrice upon thy fingers tip.1678 G. Lesly Divine Dialogues 24 Let him dip In cooling water, but his fingers tip.1739 ‘R. Bull’ tr. F. Dedekind Grobianus ii. 104 If in cold Water then you madly dip Your Hand; or only wet your Finger's Tip, Your Blood runs back.1844 U.S. Mag. & Democratic Rev. June 615/1 A butterfly fluttered forth, and, alighting on her finger's tip, [etc.].1913 O. Hanson Kachins x. 103 From the finger's tip to the middle of the chest.1534 J. Heywood Play of Loue sig. Biii Her fynger typs So clene.
1796 J. B. Gilchrist Gram. Hindoostanee Lang. 329 The distance from the finger tip of one hand to the other, while the arms are extended horizontally.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Sir Launcelot & Queen Guinevere in Poems (new ed.) II. 208 As she sway'd The rein with dainty finger-tips.
1883 E. Pennell-Elmhirst Cream Leics. 314 There was a bite at one's fingertips.
1918 W. Cather My Ántonia i. xii. 99 Grandfather merely put his fingertips to his brow and bowed his venerable head.
1967 M. M. Wheat Survival Arts Primitive Paiutes 48/1 The hunter set out his decoys and ruffled the water with his fingertips to imitate the sound of feeding ducks.
2013 Sci. Amer. June 48/2 The solution sucks the water out of the cells, causing them to shrivel up like fingertips soaked in water too long.
B. adj. (attributive).
1. Of or relating to a fingertip or fingertips; carried out by means of a fingertip or fingertips.
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1878 Dublin Rev. Oct. 431 Mr. Spencer..enumerates..coexistence of subject and object..finger-tip feelings..tactual and motor impressions, [etc.].
1893 C. Wilson Mountaineering vii. 121 Various anomalous kinds of handhold are met with upon more difficult rocks; for instance, finger-tip holds, side-holds, and holds facing downwards.
1921 J. B. Deaver & D. B. Pfeiffer in W. W. Keen Surgery VIII. xliii. 437 This is best determined by finger-tip palpation and comparison with the opposite side.
1959 Observer 7 June 31/1 A great bout of finger-tip handling right across the Australian goalmouth.
2016 Irish Independent (Nexis) 26 May 72 Those little flick-passes with just a fingertip touch always seem to find a man.
2. Archaeology. Designating ornamentation on a ceramic jar, urn, etc., produced by the impression of the tip of a finger; featuring, associated with, or relating to this style of ornamentation. Cf. fingertipping n. 2.
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society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > clay compositions > baked clay > pottery or ceramics > [adjective] > having specific decoration
cane-coloured1787
blue-printed1797
crackled1876
rice grain1876
soufflé1878
fingertip1914
rusticated1916
Nuzi1941
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > clay compositions > baked clay > pottery or ceramics > [adjective] > having specific decoration > relating to
cane colour1866
fingertip1914
1904 Wisconsin Archeologist 11 17 Fig. 19 has two horizontal rows of finger-tip impressions.]
1914 Ann. Brit. School Athens 1912–13 19 19 A fragment of a flowerpot-shaped vessel;..roughly decorated with ‘finger-tip’ ornament.
1928 O. G. S. Crawford & A. Keiller Wessex from Air 10 If it was constructed, as he concludes, by the finger-tip people.
1928 O. G. S. Crawford & A. Keiller Wessex from Air 200 The fragment of a typical finger-tip urn.
1961 Antiquaries Jrnl. 41 36 Two shoulder sherds..with stick impression or impressed finger-tip decoration.
2001 Oxoniensia 65 182 A number of characteristically early forms are present, such as two well-defined shoulder sherds and a single body sherd and three rims with fingertip decoration.
3. Fashion. Of a garment, esp. a coat or jacket: reaching down to the level of the fingertips (when the arms are resting by the sides of the body).
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > of specific length
foot-sideOE
sideOE
long-side1575
sidelong1575
nock-shorn1632
talarian1671
three-quarter1713
overknee1831
talaric1853
high water1856
ankle-length1876
long1882
hip-length1893
knee-length1895
thigh-length1895
fingertip1920
mid-calf1931
wrist-length1935
floor-length1939
cropped1954
waltz-length1958
two-thirds1963
calf-length1965
midi1968
1920 Amer. Cloak & Suit Rev. Feb. 181/3 The finger-tip jacket is of the open front type.
1953 Marion (Ohio) Star 6 Nov. 20/5 (caption) Fingertip tweed with quilted wool lining.
1977 Bryan (Ohio) Times 29 July 7/3 The lace came through the poncho to fasten in back with the fingertip poncho floating free.
2012 Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 26 May (Life & Style section) 12 He might add an exquisitely tailored grey wool fingertip coat.
4. Of a mechanical or electrical device: that can be operated by a light touch or movement of the fingers.
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the world > matter > properties of materials > lightness > [adjective] > light to handle or more
flippant1677
fingertip1932
1932 N.Y. Times 8 May xx. 5/5 Other great Nash features, including..finger-tip seat adjustment.
1937 Times 13 Apr. p. xxii/4 A ‘finger-tip’ adjustment for setting the brake shoes to the correct clearance.
1960 News Chron. 19 Feb. 8/7 The fingertip light switch.
2013 R. A. Mann & J. Lee Gun Digest Bk. Mod. Gun Values 309/3 Match trigger with fingertip weight adjustment dial.
Phrases
P1. to one's (also the) fingertips: all over or throughout one's body; completely, thoroughly, through and through.
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the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > completely [phrase] > thoroughly > from beginning to end or through and through
to the boneOE
through and throughc1225
out and outc1300
from top to tail1303
out and inc1390
(from) head to heel (also heels)c1400
(from) head to foot (also feet)c1425
from top to (into, unto) toec1425
to the skin1526
to one's (also the) finger (also fingers') ends1530
from first to last1536
up and down1542
whole out1562
to the pith1587
to the back1594
from A to (also until) Z1612
from clew to earing1627
from top to bottom1666
back and edge1673
all hollow1762
(all) to pieces1788
from A to Za1821
to one's (also the) fingertips1825
to one's fingernails1851
from tip to toe1853
down to the ground1859
to the backbone1864
right the way1867
pur sang1893
from the ground up1895
in and out1895
from soda (card) to hock1902
1825 in W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 544 The trees clothed to their finger-tips with foliage.
1886 R. Kipling Departm. Ditties 45 I redden to my finger-tips.
1907 Daily Chron. 21 Jan. 3/5 Alive with science to the finger tips.
1929 F. Hackett Henry VIII viii. 417 He was a magnate to his finger-tips.
1961 J. McCabe Mr. Laurel & Mr. Hardy (1962) iii. 75 He was an artist to his fingertips once he got going.
2006 Independent 10 June 37/5 A law-abiding creature to my fingertips, I had never so much as shoplifted.
P2. at one's fingertips (also fingers' tips): within easy reach; readily available or accessible. Cf. at one's fingers' (also finger) ends at finger end n. Phrases 1a.
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the world > space > distance > nearness > near by [phrase] > near or accessible
at handeOE
to handOE
at one's fingertips (also fingers' tips)1861
1861 Circular (Oneida, N.Y.) 11 July 91/2 They have really had their own liberty at their finger-tips for years.
1870 Harper's Mag. Nov. 864/1 The best learning that the world affords, my Bert has at his fingers' tips.
1885 Bot. Gaz. 10 389 An index which will put at their finger tips all the information which the Botanical Gazette has contributed for ten years.
1918 Eccl. Rev. Feb. 209 As you seem to have those decrees at your fingers' tips, would you quote it for us?
1956 A. H. Compton Atomic Quest 54 He had at his fingertips the most recent experimental values of the constants.
2007 N. Rosen How to live Off-grid vii. 285 I was aware that Robin would not have the latest thinking at his fingertips, but his answer was useful.
P3. figurative. by one's fingertips and variants: by a very narrow margin, barely, only just; used with reference to a situation in which a position is maintained only with great difficulty. Chiefly in to hang (also hold, cling, etc.) on (to something) by one's fingertips. Cf. by one's fingernails at fingernail n. Phrases 3. Cf. also by the skin of one's teeth at skin n. Phrases 7.
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1916 Atchison (Kansas) Daily Globe 16 Aug. 7/2 The Blues lost and are now hanging on to first place by their finger tips.
1962 Sun (Baltimore) 20 Oct. 14/6 A throw-in in a 1956 trade with Boston, close to being cut in camp, unhappily hanging on by his fingertips, the St. Louis Hawk is now a big success.
1978 A. H. Chapman Treatm. Techniques Harry Stack Sullivan vi. 112 Patient: I feel that all the time I'm just holding on by my fingertips.
1996 S. Liversedge Not Just Another Club (1998) vi. 63 United's manager was ‘clinging by his finger-tips’ to the job.
2009 I. Pears Stone's Fall (2010) vi. 37 A few houses were owned by shopkeepers or clerks desperately clinging to respectability by their fingertips.
Compounds
fingertip control n. (a) control of a vehicle or device using one's fingertip or fingertips; (also) the ability of a vehicle or device to be controlled in this way (sometimes implying only the lightest touch is needed); (b) (chiefly plural) a mechanism, especially a switch or button, that may be operated with a fingertip or fingertips.
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1908 Chicago Sunday Tribune 2 Aug. 10 (advt.) Now try and conceive..a car vibrant with pent-up power under finger-tip control.
1921 Chicago Tribune 2 Feb. 17 (advt.) A right hand or left hand turn is signalled by Auto Indicator at the touch of a finger on the finger-tip control.
1952 Good Housek. (U.S. ed.) Dec. 195/2 (advt.) A handsome Walker Electric Heating Pad with the famous Brailway Switch for carefree fingertip control.
1989 Times 29 Aug. 10/5 Your mouse usually has finger-tip controls for selecting a function or entering a command.
2000 I. Graham Bks. & Newspapers (2003) 14 The speed of paper through a newspaper printing press can be set very precisely using fingertip controls.
2007 Kokomo (Indiana) Tribune 28 Jan. f1 The machine's jet nozzle with fingertip control allows the user to choose between a continuous and intermittent stream of steam.
fingertip save n. Association Football a save (save n.2 2a) made with the tips of the goalkeeper's fingers (typically implying that the ball is only just within reach and is tipped over the crossbar or past the post).
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1934 Manch. Guardian 8 Jan. 3/1 Swift made a rather lucky finger-tip save as he ran out in despair to check Lochhead.
1988 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 14 June (Sport section) 44 Time and again he thwarted the best-laid plans of the Dutch with fingertip saves off fierce volleys and headers.
2011 J. Orme Victory Boys 58 Hasan had to spectacularly deny them an early lead with an acrobatic fingertip save over the bar.
fingertip search n. British (a) a search using one’s fingertips; (b) a systematic and meticulous examination of a crime scene for evidence, conducted by multiple police officers or other enlisted personnel (now the usual sense).
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1945 Blackwood's Mag. Dec. 366/1 I remember an age-long fingertip search.
1956 Jen-sal Jrnl. Sept. 27/2 Begin the systematic finger tip search for the testicle and cord.
1980 Guardian 31 Oct. 22/4 The ‘finger-tip search’ in which officers crawl in a line, parting each tuft of grass with their fingers, would not involve digging.
1994 Times 28 Sept. 3/3 A finger-tip search of the Paceys' home has been carried out.
2007 C. Scott Crime Scene Detective 9 If the crime scene is small enough, CSIs may carry out a fingertip search for evidence.
fingertip veil n. a type of medium-length bridal veil that reaches to just below the waist (or, with the arms at rest by one's side, to the fingertips).
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [noun] > veil > types of
flockard1465
power1526
crispa1592
fall1611
mant1651
mantilla1717
bridal veil1769
litham1839
voilette1842
yashmak1844
weeper1845
birdcage veil1888
fingertip veil1888
ghoonghat1916
spiderveil1922
niqab1936
full veil1937
1888 Seymour (Texas) Weekly Cresset 1 Mar. Her fingertip veil of bridal illusion was attached to a smart pleated headdress.
1936 Washington Post 27 Sept. 10/2 Beaming Erika in her white satin bridal gown and fingertip veil.
2013 T. Fowler Unintentionally Yours xvi. 184 Both women had gasped when she stepped out in the gown with her hair pulled up in loose curls and her fingertip veil.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
fingertipv.
/ˈfɪŋɡətɪp/, U.S. /ˈfɪŋɡərˌtɪp/ 1. transitive. To touch or move with the tip or tips of a finger or fingers. Now chiefly Association Football: (of a goalkeeper) to save (a shot, ball, etc.) with the fingertips (see fingertip save n. at fingertip n. and adj. Compounds).
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1831 Quizzical Gaz. 19 Nov. His Jewsharp tuned—Nick quickly His Tripod high ascending, So neatly tongued and finger-tipped It.
1953 M. Kennedy Pecking Order ii. iii. 108 They extended their arms and fingertipped the wall and one another as they inched along.
1974 Times Herald Rec. (Middletown, N.Y.) 27 June 124/3 Tomaszewski anticipated it brilliantly and flung himself down to finger-tip the ball around the post.
1983 Globe & Mail (Toronto) (Nexis) 16 Sept. Toronto goalkeeper Jan Moller..provided the heroics, fingertipping to safety a blistering drive from Vancouver's Peter Beardsley.
1997 P. O'Leary Gift 42 He fingertipped the mound of skin below his dead eye.
2014 Sunday Herald (Glasgow) (Nexis) 12 Oct. (Sport section) 6 David Forde made his only save of the match when he fingertipped a Joseph Chipolina header over the crossbar.
2. transitive. To tap out (a rhythm) on a surface with the tips of the fingers.rare after the 1960s.
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1941 National Elem. Principal July 357 Work in choric speech appeals to the children, and in finger-tipping the rhythm they learn a valuable aid for testing the rhythm of their own compositions.
1953 Amer. Childhood Dec. 36/2 The poem is recited in a whisper, each child finger tipping the rhythm as he reads.
1966 Instructor Mar. 88/1 Re-read the verse and have the children clap or finger-tip the rhythm.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1534
v.1831