sb. A mark made with the thumb, esp. on the page of a book in turning the leaves; also, such a mark made with the inked thumb for identification of a person. Also attrib.
1845. Longf., To Old Danish Song-bk., iii. There are thumb-marks on thy margin, Made by hands that clasped thee rudely.
1866. G. Macdonald, Ann. Q. Neighb., xi. Thumb-marks I find very obnoxious.
1889. Doyle, Micah Clarke, 185. It is impossible to get the thumb-marks of any two men to be alike.
1904. Westm. Gaz., 20 June, 3/1. Thumb-mark impressions are to be taken—a precaution which in … England … is only taken in the case of criminals.
b. transf. (See quot.)
1877. W. G. Stables, Pract. Kennel Guide, iii. (ed. 3), 36 [Words used in the Fancy]. Thumb-mark, an obliquely-shaped black mark crossing the foot of a well-bred Black-and-tan above the tocs.
Hence Thumb-mark v., trans. to make a thumb-mark upon; to mark with the thumb.
1909. Kipling, Actions & Reactions, 114. Captain Parnall thumbmarks and passes it to Mr. Geary.
