What does it mean in romeo and juliet 'i will bite my thumb at them'?

Question: What does it mean in romeo and juliet 'i will bite my thumb at them'!?

I was looking at the quote 'I will bite my thumb at them sir which is a disgrace to them if they bear it!.' in Romeo and Juliet!. And i was wondering what it means!.
(In modern translation please)!.

Thank you!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Its an insult, look at the second half of the phrase!. "which is a disgrace to them if they bear it" i!.e!., if they don't respond to the insult, they will be disgraced, or lose face!. He is biting his thumb to goad them into a fight!. All parties want to rumble, they just need an excuse, and a thumb bite will do just the trick!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

http://www!.urbandictionary!.com/define!.ph!.!.!.

so it is an insult!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It's like giving someone the middle finger in our day and age!.Www@QuestionHome@Com