thumbscrew

American  

[thuhm-skroo] / ˈθʌmˌskru /

noun

1. a screw, the head of which is so constructed that it may be turned easily with the thumb and a finger.

2. Often thumbscrews. an old instrument of torture by which one or both thumbs were compressed.

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thumbscrew British  

/ ˈθʌmˌskruː /

noun

1. an instrument of torture that pinches or crushes the thumbs

2. a screw with projections on its head enabling it to be turned by the thumb and forefinger

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Etymology

Origin of thumbscrew

First recorded in 1705–15; thumb + screw

Example Sentences

There are really only two things this game doesn’t simulate: misplacing that last thumbscrew and getting thermal paste on absolutely everything.

From The Verge

The European Union will impose travel bans and asset freezes on 86 Belarusian people and companies on Monday and is preparing economic sanctions that Austria said would "tighten the thumbscrews" on President Alexander Lukashenko.

From Reuters

"We have to tighten the thumbscrews after this callous action of state air piracy," Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told reporters.

From Reuters

The Boers are depicted as doughty, honest fellows who “observe the rules of the game,” while the British are “toxic,” duplicitous types who tighten “diplomatic thumbscrews.”

From New York Times

That can only embolden China’s leaders the next time they decide to apply thumbscrews to the champions of democracy and rule of law.

From Washington Post