1. [n]  the part of a glove that provides a covering for one of the fingers
2. [n]  any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb); "her fingers were long and thin"
3. [n]  the length of breadth of a finger used as a linear measure
4. [v]  indicate the fingering for the playing of musical scores for keyboard instruments
5. [v]  examine by touch; "Feel this soft cloth!"; "The customer fingered the sweater"
6. [v]  feel or handle with the fingers; "finger the binding of the book"
7. [v]  search for on the computer; "I fingered my boss and found that he is not logged on in the afternoons"

1. \Fin"ger\, n. [AS. finger; akin to D. vinger, OS. & OHG.
   fingar, G. finger, Icel. fingr, Sw. & Dan. finger, Goth.
   figgrs; of unknown origin; perh. akin to E. fang.]
   1. One of the five terminating members of the hand; a digit;
      esp., one of the four extermities of the hand, other than
      the thumb.
   
   2. Anything that does work of a finger; as, the pointer of a
      clock, watch, or other registering machine; especially
      (Mech.) a small projecting rod, wire, or piece, which is
      brought into contact with an object to effect, direct, or
      restrain a motion.
   
   3. The breadth of a finger, or the fourth part of the hand; a
      measure of nearly an inch; also, the length of finger, a
      measure in domestic use in the United States, of about
      four and a half inches or one eighth of a yard.
   
            A piece of steel three fingers thick. --Bp. Wilkins.
   
   4. Skill in the use of the fingers, as in playing upon a
      musical instrument. [R.]
   
            She has a good finger.                --Busby.
   
   {Ear finger}, the little finger.
   
   {Finger alphabet}. See {Dactylology}.
   
   {Finger bar}, the horizontal bar, carrying slotted spikes, or
      fingers, through which the vibratory knives of mowing and
      reaping machines play.
   
   {Finger board} (Mus.), the part of a stringed instrument
      against which the fingers press the strings to vary the
      tone; the keyboard of a piano, organ, etc.; manual.
   
   {Finger} {bowl or glass}, a bowl or glass to hold water for
      rinsing the fingers at table.
   
   {Finger flower} (Bot.), the foxglove.
   
   {Finger grass} (Bot.), a kind of grass ({Panicum sanguinale})
      with slender radiating spikes; common crab grass. See
      {Crab grass}, under {Crab}.
   
   {Finger nut}, a fly nut or thumb nut.
   
   {Finger plate}, a strip of metal, glass, etc., to protect a
      painted or polished door from finger marks.
   
   {Finger post}, a guide post bearing an index finger.
   
   {Finger reading}, reading printed in relief so as to be
      sensible to the touch; -- so made for the blind.
   
   {Finger shell} (Zo["o]l.), a marine shell ({Pholas dactylus})
      resembling a finger in form.
   
   {Finger sponge} (Zo["o]l.), a sponge having finger-shaped
      lobes, or branches.
   
   {Finger stall}, a cover or shield for a finger.
   
   {Finger steel}, a steel instrument for whetting a currier's
      knife.
   
   {To burn one's fingers}. See under {Burn}.
   
   {To have a finger in}, to be concerned in. [Colloq.]
   
   {To have at one's fingers' ends}, to be thoroughly familiar
      with. [Colloq.]
   
   

2. \Fin"ger\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fingered}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Fingering}.]
   1. To touch with the fingers; to handle; to meddle with.
   
            Let the papers lie; You would be fingering them to
            anger me.                             --Shak.
   
   2. To touch lightly; to toy with.
   
   3. (Mus.)
      (a) To perform on an instrument of music.
      (b) To mark the notes of (a piece of music) so as to guide
          the fingers in playing.
   
   4. To take thievishly; to pilfer; to purloin. --Shak.
   
   5. To execute, as any delicate work.
   
   

3. \Fin"ger\, v. i. (Mus.)
   To use the fingers in playing on an instrument. --Busby.
   
   

A unix program that displays information about a particular user or all users logged on the system, or a remote system. Finger typically shows full name, last login time, idle time, terminal line, and terminal location (where applicable). It may also display a plan file left by the user (see also hacking x for y). Some versions take a "-l" (long) argument which yields more information.

[jargon file]