English

fingerpick

From finger + pick.

A compound of finger + pick

Proto-Germanic *fingraz ‘finger’

Proto-West Germanic *fingr

Old English finger

Middle English fynger ‘a finger’

Proto-Indo-European *bew-

Proto-Germanic *pikkōną ‘to pick’

Proto-West Germanic *pikkōn ‘to peck’

Old English *piccian

Middle English piken ‘to pick at’

English pick

Today it means

noun A type of plectrum that clips on to, or wraps around the end of the fingers and thumb.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / fingerpick