THUMBSCREW


Meaning of THUMBSCREW in English

I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ transitive verb

Etymology: thumb (I) + screw, v.

: to torture by use of the thumbscrew ; also : to coerce by or as if by such torture

II. noun

Etymology: thumb (I) + screw, n.

1. : a screw whose head is flattened at the side or knurled so that the screw may be turned by the thumb and forefinger — see spokeshave illustration

2. : an instrument of torture for compressing the thumb by a screw

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Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.