fingernail
nounUS /ˈfɪŋɡɚˌneɪl/
Etymology From Middle English finger neil(e); equivalent to finger + nail. Compare Middle English nayl of fynger (“fingernail”) and Old English handnæġl (“fingernail”). Compare also Saterland Frisian Fingernail (“fingernail”), West Frisian fingerneil (“fingernail”), Dutch vingernagel (“fingernail”), German Fingernagel (“fingernail”), Danish fingernegl (“fingernail”), Swedish fingernagel (“fingernail”), Norwegian fingernegl (“fingernail”), Icelandic fingurnögl (“fingernail”).
1
The hard, flat translucent covering near the tip of a human finger, useful for scratching and fine manipulation.
- Synonyms
- handnail
- Derived terms
- fingernail clam, fingernailed, fingernailful, fingernaillike, fingernail moon, fingernaily, little fingernail, ring fingernail
- Related terms
- nail, nail polish, nail varnish, thumbnail, toenail