- finger (n.)
- O.E. fingor, from P.Gmc. *fingraz (cf. O.S. fingar, O.N. fingr, Du. vinger, Ger. Finger, Goth. figgrs), with no cognates outside Germanic; perhaps connected with PIE *pengke, the root meaning "five." As a unit of measure (M.E.) it represents the breadth of a finger, about three-quarters of an inch. They generally are numbered from the thumb, and named index finger, fool's finger, leech- or physic-finger, and ear-finger.
- finger (v.)
- early 15c., “to touch or point to with the finger” (but cf. fingering from late 14c.), from finger (n.). The meaning "identify a criminal" is underworld slang first recorded 1930. Related: Fingered.