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
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.
• (torture instrument): pilliwinks
Source: Wiktionary
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
22 February 2025
(noun) the use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e.g., ‘the father of the bride’ instead of ‘the bride’s father’
International Coffee Day (September 29) is an occasion to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage, with events occurring in places across the world. A day to promote fair trade coffee and raise awareness for the coffee growers’ plight. Other countries celebrate this event on October 1.
