digital

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin digitālis, from digitus (“finger, toe”) + -alis (“-al”). Doublet of digitalis.

adj

1. Having to do with digits (fingers or toes); performed with a finger.
2. Property of representing values as discrete, often binary, numbers rather than a continuous spectrum.
   digital computer
   digital clock
   Not long ago, it was difficult to produce photographs of tiny creatures with every part in focus.[…]A photo processing technique called focus stacking has changed that. Developed as a tool to electronically combine the sharpest bits of multiple digital images, focus stacking is a boon to biologists seeking full focus on a micron scale. 2013 July-August, Catherine Clabby, “Focus on Everything”, in American Scientist
3. Of or relating to computers or the Information Age.
   Digital payment systems are replacing cash transactions.

noun

1. (finance) A digital option.
2. (uncountable) Digital equipment or technology.
   He moved to digital for the first time, using a Sony camera.
3. (informal, uncountable) Short for digital art.
4. (music) Any of the keys of a piano or similar instrument.
   Beginning with the keyboard, direct attention to the grouping of the black digitals, and show that though at the outer edge of the keyboard the white digitals look as if they were all equally close neighbours, yet, […] c.1920?, Annie Jessy Gregg Curwen, The Teacher's Guide to Mrs. Curwen's Pianoforte Method (The Child Pianist)
5. (colloquial, humorous) A finger.
   […] turning round as he reached the door, he placed his digitals in close proximity to his proboscis, saying—“I guess there an't anything green about this child!' and left the Professor in utter astonishment […] 1853, Yankee Notions, volume 2, page 137
   […] with grave complacency wiggles his digitals, and turns away with a scornful smile playing upon his countenance. 1855, North Carolina University Magazine, volume 3, page 23