digit

plural digits

1. mathematicsA position in a sequence of numerals representing a place value in a positional number system.

   The base-10 number 123.4 has four digits: the hundreds digit is 1, the tens digit is 2, the units digit is 3, and the tenths digit is 4.

   1 more example

   This meter is a 3½ digit digital multimeter that is rugged, reliable and convenient to use, while providing all of the accuracy and features needed for any application.

   2017 October 28, “DIGITAL MULTIMETER M-1000E”, in Elenco, page 4

   Synonyms: place, figure

2. mathematicsA distinct symbol representing a natural number in a positional number system.

   Hexadecimal numeration (Base sixteen) includes the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 but also A (=10 decimal), B, C, D, E, and F. Sixteen itself is written as the two-digit number 10.

3. astronomy¹⁄₁₂ the apparent diameter of the sun or moon, (chiefly) as a measure of the totality of an eclipse.

   A six-digit eclipse covers half the lunar surface.

   Synonyms: finger

4. historicalunits of measureA unit of length notionally based upon the width of an adult human finger, standardized differently in various places and times, (especially) the English digit of ¹⁄₁₆ foot, now equivalent to about 1.9 cm.

   Synonyms: finger, fingerbreadth, fingersbreadth

5. obsoleteunits of measureSynonym of inch.

   Synonyms: inch

6. anatomyA narrow extremity of the human hand or foot: a finger, thumb, or toe.

   Jai grabbed Andrew’s shoulders with the same three digits he had used to grab the ancient doubter’s skull and spun him around.

   2018, Shiv Kotecha, The Switch, United States: Wonder, →ISBN, page 144

7. biologySimilar or similar-looking structures in other animals.

   The ruminants have the cloven foot, i.e. two hoofed digits on each foot.

   1866, Richard Owen, Anatomy of Vertebrates

8. obsoleteraregeometrySynonym of degree: ¹⁄₃₆₀ of a circle.

   Synonyms: degree

9. Synonym of manicule.

   Synonyms: manicule

present singular third person digits · participle present digiting · participle past digited · past digited

1. archaictransitiveTo point at or point out with the finger.