digit
n.-
1 a number (n.) B1 Intermediate Mathany of the numbers from 0 to 9.
a discrete symbol representing a natural number in a positional number system.
ExampleThe price of the car was five digits long, starting with a two.
ExampleThe security protocol requires a six-digit passcode that must be updated every thirty days to maintain system integrity.
UsageUsually refers to the individual symbols rather than the total value.
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2 finger or toe (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Sciencea finger or a toe on a person or animal.
a terminal extremity of the human hand or foot, or a homologous structure in other animals.
ExampleThe doctor checked each digit on the baby's hands to make sure they were healthy.
ExampleThe fossil clearly shows the structure of the creature's digits, suggesting it was well-adapted for grasping branches in a forest environment.
UsageCommon in medical, biological, or formal contexts; 'finger' or 'toe' is preferred in daily speech.
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3 historical unit of length (n.) C2 Proficiency Archaican old way to measure length based on the width of a finger.
a historical unit of linear measure based on the breadth of a human finger, approximately 1.9 centimetres.
ExampleIn ancient times, a digit was a common unit used to measure small objects.
ExampleThe architect explained that the proportions of the temple were originally calculated using the digit as the primary unit of measurement.
- fingerbreadth
- Noundigit
- Adjectivedigital