little finger-nail

plural little finger-nails

1. alternativeAlternative form of little fingernail.

   Yes, sir, with my little finger-nail I can remove the mortar from the outside of that wall, and you can judge whether on the inside it is hardened or not.

   1852 April 8, Mr. Walker, quotee, “Congressional. Deferred Debate.”, in Andrew J[ackson] Donelson, editor, The Daily Union, volume I, number 303, Washington, D.C.: A. J. Donelson and Robert Armstrong, published 11 April 1852, →ISSN, →OCLC, page [2], column 1

   2 more examples

   Mr. M. Y. betted Mr. G. R. dinner and wine for a dozen friends, that the latter did not succeed in getting one of his finger-nails to grow an inch and a half from the end of the finger. Since that time Mr. G. R. has been in London, and, having taken particular care of his little finger-nail, it has now arrived to an inch and three-eighths in length.

   1831 October 31, “Novel Wager”, in Nicholas Byrne, editor, The Morning Post, number 18,998, London: […] Nicholas Byrne. […] Thomas Payne, […], →OCLC, page [3], column 2

   My royal master was so pleased with the respectful bearing of one of these good people, that he held forth his little finger-nail to be kissed, which, with some trepidation, only proper on the part of the Sirloinian, was reverently saluted.

   1844, Douglas [William] Jerrold, “The Chronicles of Clovernook”, in Douglas Jerrold, editor, The Illuminated Magazine. […], volume III, London: […] Proprietors, […], published 1845, →OCLC, page 127, column 2