fingernails
Tips get trimmed
Fingernails are the hard, flat coverings at the tips of human fingers, made of keratin.
They protect the fingertips and help with fine manipulation—scratching, peeling, picking at small objects.
Long fingernails can be decorative; bitten fingernails suggest anxiety.
To fight tooth and nail is to fight with everything you have.
She tapped her fingernails on the table impatiently.
Dead skin at nail base
Cosmetic fingertip grooming
- polishSmooth by rubbing
- buffingFriction-based shine work
- trimmingCutting away excess
- shapingGiving something its form
filing · nailfile · clippers · lacquer · varnish · basecoat · topcoat · cuticle oil
Surface for dusty writing
- screechHigh, harsh cry
- gratingCrossed bars or harsh
- winceReflexive recoil from distress
- cringeShrink from discomfort
scraping · clawing · raking · gouging · digging · etching · scoring
Handheld defensive armor
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- hardnessResistance to penetration
- durabilityResistance to wear
- gripSecure manual hold
prying · scraping · peeling · picking · tool · leverage · precision · scratching surface
Nail fold infection
- brittlenessProne to snapping
- ridgesNarrow elevated formations
- splittingDividing into parts
- yellowingBecoming pale gold-brown
cuticle
Dead skin at nail base
manicure
Cosmetic fingertip grooming
shaping · filing · nailfile · clippers · lacquer · varnish · basecoat · topcoat · cuticle oil · acetone
chalkboard
Surface for dusty writing
cringe · scraping · clawing · raking · gouging · digging · etching · scoring
shield
Handheld defensive armor
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- hardnessResistance to penetration
- durabilityResistance to wear
grip · prying · scraping · peeling · picking · tool · leverage · precision · scratching surface · defense
paronychia
Nail fold infection
- brittlenessProne to snapping
- ridgesNarrow elevated formations
- splittingDividing into parts
yellowing · fungal infection · clubbing · white spots · discoloration
fingernailsclaws
Animal gripping nails
talons · hooves · paws · retractable claws · bear claws
- like fingernails on a chalkboardSupremely irritating noise