English Explanatory Dictionary

leech-finger

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The finger next to the little finger; ring-finger.

Word forms

leech-finger leech-fingers leechfinger leech finger leach-finger

Etymology

From Middle English leche fingir, læchefinger, from Old English lǣċefinger (“fourth finger, leech-finger”), equivalent to leech (“physician”) + finger. Compare Old Norse lǽknisfingr (“leech-finger”), Icelandic læknisfingur. According to medieval belief, a nerve or artery ran from this digit to the heart. It gave the finger a prominent role in medical lore and practice. Doctors would use it when applying treatments, for example.

Synonyms

gold-finger marriage finger medical finger medicinal finger physic finger physical finger physician finger ring-finger ring-man third finger
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