thug 
gler iaphiiitxii/iii', < phtlnm.n noose.] 1. A incin- 
)>cr of ;i coMl'rnleniity of |irol'ession;il Hss;is-iiis 
and robbers formerly infesting Imliii. chiclly 
in the central and northern provinces. The thugs 
roamed about the country In bands of from Hi to Hi. usu- 
ally iu the disguise (if peddlers or pilgrims, training Hie 
confidence of other travelers, whom lln-> -<li;iMi;kil, when 
H favorable opportunity prcM-ut. .1 itM'If. witli a ha ml ker- 
chief, JIM unwound turl>:in, or a n....sr.l cor.l. Mi- -h. .1- 
.liii'.r ..f blood was srl<i'Mti resorted to. The inotivo of the 
thills wan not BO much lust of plunder as u certain reli- 
gious fanaticism. Thu bodies of their victims were hid- 
ilrn in graves illli; \vi(li a consecrated pickax, and of their 
Blioil one third was devoUjd to the pdd'-s* Kail, whom 
they worshiped. AlKiut isao-ltf* the British government 
took vigorous measures for their suppression, and thug- 
gery, as an organized system, la now extinct. 
ll nee 2. A cutthroat; a ruffian; a rough. 
During our civil war the regimen U which were composed 
of plug-ogllM, thiiiiK. and midnight rounders, with noses 
laid over In one side as evidence of their prowess iu bar- 
room m ill sand paving-stone riots, were generally cringing 
c..ard.s in battle. The Century, XXXVL 249. 
thuggee (thug'e), . [Hind, tlmi/i, tliugi, thug- 
gism, < thug, thug, thug: see thug.} The system 
of mysterious assassination carried on by the 
t hugs ; t lie profession and practices of the thugs. 
Some jackals brought to light the bones of a little child ; 
and the deep grave from which they dug them bore marks 
of the mystic pickaxe of Thuggee. 
J. W. Palmer, The New and the Old, p. 33d 
thuggeeism (thug'e-izm), n. [< thuggee + -font.] 
Same as thuggee. Cyc. of India. 
thuggery (th'iig'er-i), n. [< thug + -ery.] Same 
as thuggee. 
thuggism (thug'izm), n. [< thug + -torn.] Same 
as thuggee. Encyc. Brit., XII. 806. 
Thule (thii'le), . [< L. Tlittlt', Tliylt; < 6r. Qol'ty, 
Qii^ti (see def.).] The name given by Pytheas 
of Marseilles to a region or island north of 
Great Britain, the position of which has been 
for more than two thousand years the subject 
of investigation and a matter of controversy. 
Of the voyage of Pytheaa, who was probably nearly con- 
temporaneous with Alexander the Great, nothing is known 
with certainty, Bince none of his writings have been pre- 
served. It is, on the whole, most probable that he fol- 
lowed the east coast of Great Britain (of whose size he 
got a very much exaggerated idea), and that he obtained 
information in regard to the groups of islands lying still 
further north - namely, the Orkneys and Shetland which 
he embraced under the general name of Thulf. From 
what he is believed to have said In regard to the length 
of the day in Thule at the summer solstice, it is evident 
that, as he is known to have been a skilled astronomer, 
he thought that this laud was situated on or near the 
arctic circle. The Romans frequently added to Thule the 
designation of Ultima (the Furthest Thule), and, from 
classic times down to the present day, Thule, besides 
remaining a subject for voluminous controversy among 
geographical critics, has been in constant use by poets 
and others as designating some unknown, far-distant, 
northern, or purely mythical region, or even some goal, 
not necessarily geographical, sought to lie attained. This 
use of Thule and Ultima Thttte runs through the litera- 
ture of all the cultivated languages of Europe. 
Where the Northern Ocean, in vast whirls, 
Boils round the naked melancholy Isles 
Of furthest Thule. Thornton, Autumn. 
This ultimate dim Thule. Poe, Dream-Land. 
thulite (thu'lit), w. [< Thule + -ife2.] In 
miiimil., a rare variety of zoisite, of a peach- 
blossom color, found in the granite districts of 
Norway. 
thulium (thu'li-um), . A supposed element 
found in the mineral gadolinite. Its properties 
have not been ascertained, and its existence is 
doubtful. 
thulwar (thul'war), H. Same as tulwar. 
thumt, '' ' [Appar. a var. of thump, or else an 
error for thrum*.] To beat. [Bare.] 
For he 's such a churle waxen now of late that he be 
Neuer so little angry he thums me out of all cry. 
The Taming of a Shrew (facsimile of 1st quarto ed., 159*). 
thumb 1 (thum), n. [Early mod. E. also flixmbe, 
thnumbe; < ME. thoitmbe, tlwmbc, older thoume, 
thumc,<. AS. thuma = OFries. thuma = D. diiim = 
MLG. dime, duiti, LG. duum = OHG. dumo, 
MHG. dilute, G. damn, daitmfn = Sw. tumme = 
Norw. <me = Dan. tomme = Goth. * thuma, thumb 
((f. AS. tlii/iinl, E. thimble = Icel. thumall, the 
thumb of a glove, thiimtil-tiitgr = Dan. toiHim-l- 
Jitiiier, the thumb); perhaps connected with L. 
tumcre, swell v see nuuiil), Gr. riAof, rivli?, swell- 
ing, wale, buckle, knob, Skt. tumrn, plump, Zend 
inmii. stout.] 1. The shortest and thickest fin- 
ger of the human hand; the pollex; the first 
ilitrit of the hand, on the radial side, next to the 
index or forefinger. Theperfected thumb is thechtef 
characteristic of the human hand as distinguished from 
that of all other animals. This perfection is seen in the 
free movements of the member, and its ready apposability 
to any one of the other digits or to them all together. The 
extent to which it stands away from tin- rest indicates the 
great power and accuracy with which the hand maybe 
used in grasping, as a prehensile organ, as in holding a 
pen or a knife. Such freedom and versatility are accom- 
6319 
pllshcd by the peculiar construction of the joint at the 
base of (bat metacarpal which supports the thumb. This 
articulation with the carpal hone called the trapezium ls 
by means of 1 . . iprocally saddle-shaped articular surfaces, 
having the ease and extent of movement of a ball-and- 
socket or universal Joint, though by a different mechan- 
ism. It is the only instance of such an articulation iu 
the human body. The metacarpal bone of the thumb also 
.Hirers from the rest In Its mode of ossification, having, 
like the phalanges, a proximal and not a distal epiphysis 
that Is, the gristly cap that ossifies separately from the 
rest of the bone is on the end of the bone next to the 
wrist. The thumb is also peculiar In having but two 
Joints or phalanges, the other digits having three apiece. 
The thumb Is likewise moved by more muscles than those 
which actuate any other digit. They are a long deep 
flexor, and three separate long extensors (one for each 
phalanx and for the metacarpal bone), these four muscles 
coming to the thumb from high up in the forearm ; and 
also several short muscles confined to the hand, the short 
flexor, the abductor, the adductor, and the opponent 
altogether fight muscles in long and short sets of four 
each. The short muscles form the thenar eminence, or 
fleshy ball of the thumb. 
Speke cloos all thyna, as thombe In flste. 
Booke of Precedence (E. E. T. 8., extra ser.X 1. 110. 
2. The inner, radial, or first digit of the fore 
paw of any animal. When there are five digits, 
the first of these always corresponds to the hu- 
man thumb; otherwise not. 3. The movable 
radial digit of a bird's manus or pinion, which 
bears the packet of feathers called the alula or 
bastard wing, and which is usually movable 
apart from the rest of the bones. 67 some it is 
supposed to correspond to the human thumb. It Is more 
probably the homologue of the Index or forefinger. See 
cut under pinion. 
4. The thumb of the foot; the hallux; the in- 
ner digit of the foot, called the great toe in man. 
In quadrumanous or four-handed animals, as monkeys, 
opossums, and some others, It functions as a thumb, stands 
apart from the other digits, and so converts the hind foot 
into a grasping member, or " hand. " IU condition in man 
is quite exceptional In comparison with those animals to 
which he is nearest allied zoologically. 
5. The hind toe of a bird (except a three-toed 
woodpecker) ; the hallux ; when there are two 
hind toes, the inner one of these (except in tro- 
gons). It Is functionally a thumb, opposing other digits, 
and fitting the foot for grasping or perching. It is often 
absent or very small and functlonless. Its length, low 
insertion, and entire freedom of movement are highly 
characteristic of the passerine series of birds, and varying 
conditions of iU principal flexor tendon give rise to nomo- 
pelmoug and correlated terms. Ball of the thumb. 
See def. 1. His fingers are all thumbs. Sea finger. 
Horn for the thumbt. See horn. Rule of thumb. 
Seerufci. To bite the thumb att. SeeWte.-To fash 
one's thumb. See /MAI. Under one's thumb, under 
one's power or influence ; quite subservient. 
She ... Is obliged to be silent ! I have her under my 
thumb. Richardson, Sir Charles Grandlson, III. xxxvlii. 
thumb 1 (thum), v.t. [< thumb*, n.] 1. To han- 
dle or perform awkwardly: as, to thumb over a 
tune. Imp. Diet. 2. To soil or wear out with 
much handling; hence, to use, read, or turn over 
the pages of (as a book). 
Shall I thumb Holy Books, confln'd 
With Abigails, forsaken? 
Prior, The Female Phaeton. 
Horace and Virgil must be thumbed by a boy, as well be- 
fore he goes to an apprenticeship as to the university. 
SUele, Tatler, No. 173. 
3. To turn (one's glass) over the thumb: an 
old custom when persons were drinking toge- 
ther, intending to show that the glass had been 
emptied so that the small drop remaining would 
lie on the thumb-nail without running off. Com- 
pare supernaculum. TO thumb the hat. See hat*. 
thumb 2 (thum), n. [Prob. a veterinary corrup- 
tion of thrum 2 . ] Palpitation of the heart in do- 
mestic animals, as the horse, the result of func- 
tional or organic disease. Sec palpitation. 
thumb-band (thum'band), n. A twist of any- 
thing as thick as the thumb. 
thumb-bird (thum'berd), n. The miller's- 
thumb, a bird: so called from its tiny size. 
thumb-blue (thum'blS), n. Indigo in the form 
of small balls or lumps, used by washerwomen 
to give a clear or pure tint to linen, etc. 
thumb-cleat (thum'klet), n. tfaut., a cleat, re- 
sembling a thumb, for preventing the topsail 
reef-earings from slipping, and for other pur- 
poses. 
thumb-cock (thum'kok), n. A small cock with 
a thumb-piece, or small cross-handle, adapting 
it to be turned by the thumb and finger. 
thumbed (thumd), a. [< thumbi + -e<f2.] 1. 
Having thumbs, as distinguished from other 
digits. 2. Marked with thumb-marks: as, a 
thumbed book. 
thumbikin (thum'i-kin), . Same as thumbkin. 
[Scotch.] 
The boot and the thumbikini could not extort confes- 
sions. Ba>um.n, Hist. r. S., II. 410. 
thumbkin (thum'kin),)!. [A\sothiniikiii.tlti<mbi- 
l.-iti : < thumb* + dim. -/-in.] A thumb-screw, 
thumb-tack 
or set of thumb-screws; the torture liy tliis in- 
strument. Seecutunderf/iHHifc-xr/v . [Scotch.] 
Bloody rope, and swift bullet, and trenchant swords, and 
pain of boots and thumkin*. 
Scott, Heart of Mid-Lothian, x. 
thumb-latch (thum'lach), n. A kind of door- 
latch in which a lever passing through the door 
raises the latch. The lever Is made to play from the 
outside by pressing u|m the broadened end of it, gen- 
erally with the thumb. See cut under latrh. 
thumbless(tlimn'lcs), . |< tluimbl + -lcn*.] 1. 
1 la vim: no thumbs: as, the thumbed and thumb- 
less spider-monkeys. See Atrlm, limi-lii/teleg, 
and cut under x/>idir-iHiikcy. 2. Having no 
hallux, or hind toe, as a bird. 3. Clumsy; awk- 
ward; unskilful. 
When to a house I come and see 
The genius wasteful! more than free ; 
The servants thumbUae, yet to eat 
With lawlesst tooth the flourc of wheat. 
llerriclr, Leprosle In Houses. 
thumb-mark (thum'mark), n. A mark left by 
the impression of the thumb, as on the leaves 
of a book ; hence, any mark resembling this. 
thumb-nut (thum'nut), w. A nut for a bolt or 
screw having wings which give a purchase to 
the thumb in turning it. 
thumb-pad (thum'pad), n. A pad-like forma- 
tion over the inner metacarpal bone of some 
batrachians. 
thumb-piece (thum'pes), . 1. A plate-shaped 
appendage to the handle of a vessel, meant to 
receive the thumb of the band that grasps it, 
and afford a good hold. 2. The disk or but- 
ton by pressing which a spring is opened. This, 
in ornamental furniture, snuff-boxes, etc., is often very 
richly adorned, or made of precious material, as gold, or 
is sometimes a precious stone mounted in gold. 
3. In needle-manuf., a piece of stout leather 
used to protect the hand in pressing the needle- 
blanks against a grindstone to form the points. 
4. On any piece of mechanism, a projection 
which is intended to be worked by the thumb. 
thumb-position (tlmm'po-zish'on), n. Invio- 
loncello-pUtyinn, a shift in whicn the thumb of 
the left nand is used as a temporary nut. 
thumb-pot (thum'pot), . A very small pot 
used by florists for starting slips or seedlings. 
thumb-ring (thum'ring),n. 1. A ring designed 
to be worn upon the thumb : often a seal-ring, 
and in that case probably worn only occasion- 
ally, as when occupied in business. 
When I was almut thy years ... I could hare crept 
Into any alderman's thtnnb-ring. 
Shot., 1 Hen. IV., ii. 4. 36S. 
Though yon presume Satan a subtle thing, 
And may have heard he 's worn in a thumb-ring. 
B. Jonton, Devil is an Ass, Prol. 
One that Is good only In Riches, and wears nothing rich 
about him, but the Gout, or a Unnno-riny with his Orand- 
slrs Sheep-mark or Grannams butter-print on 't, to seal 
Baggs, Acquittances, and Counterpanes. 
Brome, Northern Lass, U. 1. 
I believe, when he Is dead, you will wear him In thumb- 
ringt, as the Turks did Scanderbeg. 
Dryden, Epistle to the Whigs. 
2. A ring fastened to the guard of a dagger or 
sword to receive the thumb. Double thumb-rings 
are sometimes made for fixing the dagger on a staff, or at 
the end of a lance, to resist cavalry. 
thumb-screw (thum'skro), n. 1. A screw hav- 
ing a broad head, or a plate projecting from the 
head, so that it may be turned easily by the 
finger and thumb. 2. 
An instrument of tor- 
ture by which one or 
both thumbs were com- 
pressed so as to inflict 
great agony without dan- 
ger to life. It consisted of 
a frame with three uprights 
or bars, between which the 
thumbs were passed ; a piece 
sliding on the bars was forced 
down upon the thumbs by 
turning a screw. 
thumb-Stall (thum'stal), n. 1. A utensil for 
pushing a needle by the action of the thumb, 
consisting of a plate or boss with small depres- 
sions like those of a thimble. Compare palm 1 . 
4. 2. A case or sheath of leather or other sub- 
stance to be worn on the thumb. 3. A cushion 
or pad worn on the thumb by a gunner for pro- 
tection when he closes the vent while the gun 
is being sponged after firing. 4. A cot worn 
on the thumb by anglers to prevent blistering 
from the friction of the line while checking the 
too swift revolution of the reel. 5. Same as 
jiixiiiccr, 1. 
thumb-tack (thum'tak), n. A tack with a large 
flat head, designed to be thrust in by the pres- 
sure of the thumb or a finger. 
Thumb-screw, 
