English
lay a finger on
Lay a finger on comes from Middle English fynger on ‘touch (someone) with hostile intent’.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500fynger on‘touch (someone) with hostile intent’
- Englishtodaylay a finger on
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500fynger on‘touch (someone) with hostile intent’
- Englishtodaylay a finger on
Every English word from Middle English fynger on
Today it means
verb To merely touch.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English fynger on / lay a finger on