ˈthimbəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English thymbyl, probably alteration of Old English thȳmel thumbstall, from thūma thumb — more at thumb
1. : a cuplike cover made usually of metal or plastic with a pitted surface and used to protect the end of a finger when pushing a needle through material
2. : a more or less thimble-shaped apparatus, appendage, or fixture: as
a. : a tubular distance piece through which a bolt or pin passes (as a socket in a door-lock escutcheon plate to receive the knob spindle)
b. : a fixed or movable ring, tube, or lining
c. : a tubular cone for expanding a flue tube
d. : a circular wall box
e. : a metal socket for fixing a lead pipe to stoneware
f. : a ring of thin metal formed with a grooved outer edge so as to fit within an eye (as in a rope, sail, or rope splice) and protect it from chafing
g. : a short section of metal tubing fastened to the underside of a muzzle-loader for holding a ramrod
h. : a small tapering cup with a projecting arm used as a support for plates during firing in a kiln
i. : a thimble-shaped cup or shell (as of filter paper or fritted glass) for containing material to be extracted by solvents especially in chemical analysis
extraction thimbles
3. : thimbleful
4.
a. : a foxglove ( Digitalis purpurea )
b. thimbles plural : harebell 1