Thimble

Thimble
Thimble Thim"ble, n. [OE. thimbil, AS. ??mel, fr. ??ma a thumb. [root]56. See {Thumb}.] 1. A kind of cap or cover, or sometimes a broad ring, for the end of the finger, used in sewing to protect the finger when pushing the needle through the material. It is usually made of metal, and has upon the outer surface numerous small pits to catch the head of the needle. [1913 Webster]

2. (Mech.) Any thimble-shaped appendage or fixure. Specifically: (a) A tubular piece, generally a strut, through which a bolt or pin passes. (b) A fixed or movable ring, tube, or lining placed in a hole. (c) A tubular cone for expanding a flue; -- called {ferrule} in England. [1913 Webster]

3. (Naut.) A ring of thin metal formed with a grooved circumference so as to fit within an eye-spice, or the like, and protect it from chafing. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • thimble — O.E. þymel sheath or covering for the thumb, from thuma (see THUMB (Cf. thumb)) + el, suffix used in forming names of instruments (Cf. HANDLE (Cf. handle)). Excrescent b began mid 15c. (Cf. HUMBLE (Cf. humble), NIMBLE (Cf …   Etymology dictionary

  • thimble — ► NOUN ▪ a metal or plastic cap with a closed end, worn to protect the finger and push the needle in sewing. ORIGIN Old English, related to THUMB(Cf. ↑thumb) …   English terms dictionary

  • thimble — [thim′bəl] n. [ME thimbel (with unhistoric b ) < OE thymel, thumbstall < thuma,THUMB + el, dim. suffix] 1. a small cap of metal, plastic, etc. worn as a protection on the finger that pushes the needle in sewing 2. anything like this; esp.,… …   English World dictionary

  • Thimble — This article is about the protective shield worn on the finger or thumb. For the wire rope termination device, see Wire rope#Thimbles. A thimble …   Wikipedia

  • thimble — thimblelike, adj. /thim beuhl/, n. 1. a small cap, usually of metal, worn over the fingertip to protect it when pushing a needle through cloth in sewing. 2. Mech. any of various similar devices or attachments. 3. Naut. a metal ring with a concave …   Universalium

  • thimble — UK [ˈθɪmb(ə)l] / US noun [countable] Word forms thimble : singular thimble plural thimbles a small metal or plastic cup that you wear on your finger to protect it when you are sewing …   English dictionary

  • thimble — Bushing Bush ing, n. [See 4th {Bush}.] 1. The operation of fitting bushes, or linings, into holes or places where wear is to be received, or friction diminished, as pivot holes, etc. [1913 Webster] 2. (Mech.) A bush or lining; sometimes called a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • thimble — [OE] A thimble is etymologically a ‘thumb implement’. The word goes back to Old English thymel, a derivative of thūma ‘thumb’. In Old English (where it is recorded only once) it was used for a ‘finger stall’. By the time it reappears in the 15th… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • thimble — [[t]θɪ̱mb(ə)l[/t]] thimbles N COUNT A thimble is a small metal or plastic object which you use to protect your finger when you are sewing …   English dictionary

  • thimble — [OE] A thimble is etymologically a ‘thumb implement’. The word goes back to Old English thymel, a derivative of thūma ‘thumb’. In Old English (where it is recorded only once) it was used for a ‘finger stall’. By the time it reappears in the 15th… …   Word origins

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