leech-finger

Definition

The finger next to the little finger; ring-finger.

Etymology

From Middle English leche fingir, læchefinger, from Old English lǣċefinger (“fourth finger, leech-finger”), equivalent to leech (“physician”) + finger. Compare Old Norse lǽknisfingr (“leech-finger”), Icelandic læknisfingur. According to medieval belief, a nerve or artery ran from this digit to the heart. It gave the finger a prominent role in medical lore and practice. Doctors would use it when applying treatments, for example.

Example Sentences

• "Sing three Our Fathers on your leechfinger, and write around the sore."
• "The Leech finger has Coll on it, the sage Hazel, who is the master physician, and is surmounted by Saille, the Willow of enchantment."
• "Similarly, the other wound item above it, for an unknown swelling (uncufrum swyle) involves singing the Pater Noster thrice over 'your leechfinger' (ðine læcefinger, the middle finger) and writing the Latin formula around the sore as well as speaking it."