From Proto-Germanic *fingraz, possibly from PIE *penkʷe (five) — literally 'one of the five.'
Each of the four slender jointed parts attached to either hand (or five, if including the thumb).
From Old English 'finger,' from Proto-Germanic *fingraz (finger). The deeper etymology is debated. One prominent theory derives it from PIE *penkʷe (five), making 'finger' literally 'one of the five' — a member of the set of five digits. Another proposal connects it to a PIE root meaning 'to seize, to grasp.' The connection to 'five' is phonologically plausible and semantically natural, but remains contested among
If the leading etymology is correct, 'finger' and 'five' are the same word. Proto-Germanic *fingraz may derive from PIE *penkʷe (five), making a finger literally 'one of the five.' The word 'fist' may also belong to this family — Proto-Germanic *funhstiz from *penkʷe-sti-, 'the five-thing,' the hand clenched into one unit