fingerworkn.
/ˈfɪŋɡəwəːk/, U.S. /ˈfɪŋɡərˌwərk/ 1. Work done with the fingers; any action or activity undertaken with the fingers, esp. when requiring particular manual dexterity; sometimes as the type of work done without great (physical) exertion. Also: an example of such work.In early use frequently figurative and in figurative contexts.
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society > occupation and work > work > [noun] > finger-work
fingering1591
fingerwork1616
1616 J. Cotta Triall Witch-craft iv. 33 There can bee no reall or true transmutation of one substance or nature into another, but either by creation or generation. The one is the sole immediate hand of God..the other is naturall, the finger-work and power of God in nature, and proper to the nature of liuing animate creatures.
a1652 R. Brome Court Begger ii. i. sig. O6, in Five New Playes (1653) A fine-handed, and a fine headed fellow he is; and pretends great skill and practice too in Picture-drawing, Watch-making, and such like finger-workes.
1656 J. Beadle Jrnl. Thankful Christian i. 12 The Creation of the world, Sun, Moon, Stars are the work of Gods fingers; and all the great things he doth for us in the world are but finger-work in comparison of our Redemption by Christ, that is indeed the work of his arm.
1749 J. Cleland Mem. Woman of Pleasure (new ed.) II. 46 I soon began to perceive that this finger-work was but a paultry shallow expedient, that went but a little way to relieve me, and rather rais'd more flame than its dry insignificant titilation could rightly appease.
1800 Hosp. Pupil's Guide London i. 12 If you was to see how awkward they are at bandages, the Tourniquet, and all the finger work we have been practised in, you would think yourself a tolerable clever fellow.
1844 Standard 8 Apr. 1/5 The great question is, whether working in the mills for more than 12 hours a day..require much or little bodily exertion—whether it be only finger work or leg work besides.
1906 Practitioner Dec. 826 The great drawback of this treatment is that it..must be minutely carried out, demanding..a great deal of finger-work.
1963 J. J. la Grange in Symp. Antarctic Logistics 608 In colder conditions for finger work, finger leather gloves with inside padding and built in electric heating element were very useful.
2014 Times Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) (Nexis) 26 Jan. d3 (caption) Lewis shows off the delicate fingerwork needed in creating pottery.
2. spec.
a. Fine or ornate sewing, embroidery, tapestry, weaving, etc., requiring a high degree of dexterity and skill with the fingers. Cf. work n. 17. Now rare.
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1625 W. Morrell New-Eng. 21 A kinde of Arras, or Straw-hangings, wrought With divers formes, and colours, all about... Rare Stories, Princes, people, Kingdomes, Towers, In curious finger-worke, or Parchment flowers.
1660 N. Brooke Englands Glory 75 A Cardon of Ash-coloured and Russet Silk (made round of Finger-work, and knit full of knots before, reaching down almost to the knees).
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. iii. 98/2 Purle Work Tent Work. Finger Work, all which are several sorts and manners of Works wrought by the Needle with Silk of all Natures, Purles, Wyres, &c.
1783 Morning Post 16 Sept. Turkey and other carpets in great variety, several new and beautiful patterns..little inferior to finger work.
1849 D. Rock Church of our Fathers III. x. 354 A..rich pall of silk..the finger-work of some queen.
1898 Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Jrnl. 1 Sept. 5/4 There I saw such exquisite finger-work... It seemed a wonderful fit and privilege to paint such pictures with the needle.
1920 Evening Telegram (Rocky Mount, N. Carolina) 26 Aug. 3/2 (advt.) The fine fingerwork on these garments cannot be excelled—the materials are the best.
2009 P. N. Hoffman Honey, it's all in Shoes 140 My mother is the master seamstress in the family, and I solicited her help in doing the ‘finger work’.
b. Music. The technique of moving or placing the fingers in playing an instrument; the manner in which an instrumentalist moves or places his or her fingers while playing; = fingering n.1 1a.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > [noun] > fingering
fingeringa1450
touch1597
finger1711
fingerwork1836
1836 Atlas 10 Apr. 233/1 A finished display of finger work, and nothing more.
1893 Republican (Danville, Indiana) 28 Dec. 2/2 To gain endurance and a fine, firm, controlled depth of tone, in fingerwork, practice much with a high stroke.
1927 Observer 29 May 14/5 [His] first recital showed promise... Mozart does not suit his style: it needs better finger-work and not so much arm and body and pedal.
1976 Times 22 Apr. 9/6 A pair of organ concertos gave ample scope for Mr Malcolm's finger work.
2013 Santa Fe New Mexican (Nexis) 18 Oct. Wang's fingerwork navigated the fountains of leaping and falling figuration while respecting the composer's instruction.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1616