Thumb, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Thumbed p. pr. & vb. n. Thumbing ]
 1. To handle awkwardly.
 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.