thumbed
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Worn or soiled by frequent handling: Describes an object, especially a book or its pages, that shows signs of wear, dirt, or marks from being touched, held, or turned many times by fingers and thumbs.
Usage
- The adjective thumbed is used to describe the physical condition of an item, implying it has been used often and is not new or pristine.
- It is often used in the compound form "well-thumbed" to emphasize extensive use.
- It typically modifies nouns like , , , , or .
Examples
- The detective pulled a thumbed copy of the city guide from his coat pocket.
- She found the recipe in a thumbed old cookbook that had belonged to her grandmother.
- The most helpful sections of the manual were easily identified by their thumbed corners.
Advanced Usage
- "well-thumbed": A very common compound adjective emphasizing that an item has been used very frequently.
- He kept a well-thumbed dictionary on his desk at all times.
- The state of being thumbed can imply value, frequent reference, or beloved use, rather than just damage.
Variants and Related Words
- Well-thumbed (adj.): A standard compound form meaning very worn from frequent use.
- Dog-eared (adj.): Having the corners of pages turned down from use (a specific type of wear often found on thumbed books).
- Worn (adj.): Damaged or thinner from long use (a more general term).
Synonyms
- Fingered: Touched or handled (can imply leaving marks).
- Soiled: Made dirty.
- Worn: Impaired or damaged by use.
Antonyms
- Pristine: In its original condition; unspoiled.
- Unblemished: Not damaged or marked.
- New: Not previously used.
Adjective
- (of pages) worn or soiled by thumb and fingers by frequent handling or turning
- well-thumbed pages of the dictionary