Thumb, v. t. [imp. & p. p.Thumbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Thumbing (?).] 1. To handle awkwardly. Johnson.
2. To play with the thumbs, or with the thumbs and fingers; as, to thumb over a tune.
3. To soil or wear with the thumb or the fingers; to soil, or wear out, by frequent handling; also, to cover with the thumb; as, to thumb the touch-hole of a cannon.
He gravely informed the enemy that all his cards had been thumbed to pieces, and begged them to let him have a few more packs. Macaulay.