thumbnail
English edit
Etymology edit
From thumb + nail. The phrase thumbnail sketch was first attested 1852. Verb sense attested 1930s.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
thumbnail (plural thumbnails)
- The fingernail on the thumb.
- A rough sketch (e.g., the size of one's thumbnail).
- (chiefly computing) A small picture, used as a compact representation of a larger image.
Usage notes edit
- (computing): Unlike an icon, which is generally a representative symbol, a thumbnail is a smaller identical copy of the original larger image.
Derived terms edit
Descendants edit
Translations edit
fingernail on the thumb
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rough sketch
chiefly computing: small picture
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See also edit
Verb edit
thumbnail (third-person singular simple present thumbnails, present participle thumbnailing, simple past and past participle thumbnailed)
- (transitive) To describe concisely.
- (transitive, computing) To create a smaller representation of (a larger image).
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
describe concisely
Further reading edit
- Maven's Word of the Day, December 11, 1997
- Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “thumb”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
Portuguese edit
Etymology edit
Unadapted borrowing from English thumbnail.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
thumbnail m (plural thumbnails)