THUMBSCREW

thumbscrew

(noun) screw designed to be turned with the thumb and fingers

thumbscrew

(noun) instrument of torture that crushes the thumb

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

thumbscrew (plural thumbscrews)

A screw that can be turned with the thumb and fingers.

An instrument of torture used to crush the fingers.

(figuratively) A weakness that can be taken advantage of.

Synonyms

• (torture instrument): pilliwinks

Source: Wiktionary

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Thumb"screw`, n.

1. A screw having a flat-sided or knurled head, so that it may be turned by the thumb and forefinger.

2. An old instrument of torture for compressing the thumb by a screw; a thumbkin.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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