Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Finger \Fin"ger\, n. [AS. finger; akin to D. vinger, OS. & OHG.
   fingar, G. finger, Icel. fingr, Sw. & Dan. finger, Goth.
   figgrs; of unknown origin; perh. akin to E. fang.]
   1. One of the five terminating members of the hand; a digit;
      esp., one of the four extermities of the hand, other than
      the thumb.

   2. Anything that does work of a finger; as, the pointer of a
      clock, watch, or other registering machine; especially
      (Mech.) a small projecting rod, wire, or piece, which is
      brought into contact with an object to effect, direct, or
      restrain a motion.

   3. The breadth of a finger, or the fourth part of the hand; a
      measure of nearly an inch; also, the length of finger, a
      measure in domestic use in the United States, of about
      four and a half inches or one eighth of a yard.

            A piece of steel three fingers thick. --Bp. Wilkins.

   4. Skill in the use of the fingers, as in playing upon a
      musical instrument. [R.]

            She has a good finger.                --Busby.

   {Ear finger}, the little finger.

   {Finger alphabet}. See {Dactylology}.

   {Finger bar}, the horizontal bar, carrying slotted spikes, or
      fingers, through which the vibratory knives of mowing and
      reaping machines play.

   {Finger board} (Mus.), the part of a stringed instrument
      against which the fingers press the strings to vary the
      tone; the keyboard of a piano, organ, etc.; manual.

   {Finger} {bowl or glass}, a bowl or glass to hold water for
      rinsing the fingers at table.

   {Finger flower} (Bot.), the foxglove.

   {Finger grass} (Bot.), a kind of grass ({Panicum sanguinale})
      with slender radiating spikes; common crab grass. See
      {Crab grass}, under {Crab}.

   {Finger nut}, a fly nut or thumb nut.

   {Finger plate}, a strip of metal, glass, etc., to protect a
      painted or polished door from finger marks.

   {Finger post}, a guide post bearing an index finger.

   {Finger reading}, reading printed in relief so as to be
      sensible to the touch; -- so made for the blind.

   {Finger shell} (Zo["o]l.), a marine shell ({Pholas dactylus})
      resembling a finger in form.

   {Finger sponge} (Zo["o]l.), a sponge having finger-shaped
      lobes, or branches.

   {Finger stall}, a cover or shield for a finger.

   {Finger steel}, a steel instrument for whetting a currier's
      knife.

   {To burn one's fingers}. See under {Burn}.

   {To have a finger in}, to be concerned in. [Colloq.]

   {To have at one's fingers' ends}, to be thoroughly familiar
      with. [Colloq.]

Source : WordNet®

finger plate
     n : a flat protective covering (on a door or wall etc) to
         prevent soiling by dirty fingers [syn: {escutcheon}, {scutcheon}]