- thumbscrew
- thumb•screw[[t]ˈθʌmˌskru[/t]] n.1) bui a screw having a flat head that may be turned easily with the thumb and forefinger2) an old instrument of torture by which one or both thumbs were compressed
From formal English to slang. 2014.
thumbscrew
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Thumbscrew — Thumb screw , n. 1. A screw having a flat sided or knurled head, so that it may be turned by the thumb and forefinger. [1913 Webster] 2. An old instrument of torture for compressing the thumb by a screw; a thumbkin. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
thumbscrew — ► NOUN ▪ an instrument of torture that crushes the thumbs … English terms dictionary
thumbscrew — [thum′skro͞o΄] n. 1. a screw with a head shaped in such a way that it can be turned with the thumb and forefinger 2. a former instrument of torture for squeezing the thumbs … English World dictionary
Thumbscrew — The thumbscrew, or pilliwinks, is a torture instrument which was used in medieval Europe. It is a simple vise, sometimes with protruding studs on the interior surfaces. The victim s thumbs or fingers were placed in the vise and slowly crushed.… … Wikipedia
thumbscrew — UK [ˈθʌmˌskruː] / US [ˈθʌmˌskru] noun [countable] Word forms thumbscrew : singular thumbscrew plural thumbscrews a piece of equipment used in the past for torturing people by squeezing their thumbs very hard … English dictionary
thumbscrew — [[t]θʌ̱mskruː[/t]] thumbscrews also thumb screw 1) N COUNT A thumbscrew is an object that was used in the past to torture people by crushing their thumbs. 2) N COUNT If someone puts the thumbscrews on you, they start to put you under extreme… … English dictionary
Thumbscrew (fastener) — A thumbscrew is a specialized type of screw with either a tall head and ridged or knurled sides, or a flat, vertical head. They are intended to be tightened and loosened by hand. They are often cut for Phillips head or slotted screwdrivers as… … Wikipedia
thumbscrew — noun Date: 1788 1. an instrument of torture for compressing the thumb by a screw 2. a screw having a flat sided or knurled head so that it may be turned by the thumb and index finger … New Collegiate Dictionary
thumbscrew — /thum skrooh /, n. 1. a screw, the head of which is so constructed that it may be turned easily with the thumb and a finger. 2. Often, thumbscrews. an old instrument of torture by which one or both thumbs were compressed. [1705 15; THUMB + SCREW] … Universalium
thumbscrew — noun a) A screw that can be turned with the thumb and fingers b) An instrument of torture used to crush the fingers Syn: pilliwinks … Wiktionary
thumbscrew — ● ►en n. f. ►CABLE Vis à main en français. Vis qu on peut visser et dévisser en vissant avec les doigts... (++). Signalé par Nancy Mobarhan … Dictionnaire d'informatique francophone
