thimble

[ thim-buhl ]

noun

1. a small cap, usually of metal, worn over the fingertip to protect it when pushing a needle through cloth in sewing.
2. Mechanics. any of various similar devices or attachments.
3. Nautical. a metal ring with a concave groove on the outside, used to line the outside of a ring of rope forming an eye.
4. a sleeve of sheet metal passing through the wall of a chimney, for holding the end of a stovepipe or the like.
5. a thimble-shaped printing element with raised characters on the exterior: used in a type of electronic typewriter or computer printer thimbleprinter.

thimble

/ ˈθɪmbəl /

noun

1. a cap of metal, plastic, etc, used to protect the end of the finger when sewing
2. any small metal cap resembling this
3. nautical a loop of metal having a groove at its outer edge for a rope or cable, for lining the inside of an eye
4. See thimbleful
   short for thimbleful

Other Words From

• thimble·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thimble¹

before 1000; Middle English thym ( b ) yl, Old English thȳmel; akin to Old Norse thumall thumb of a glove. See thumb, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of thimble¹

Old English thӯmel thumbstall, from thūma thumb

Example Sentences

So the researchers tested snapping with fingers covered by hard thimbles.

From Science News

“This announcement is the equivalent of throwing a thimble of water on a bonfire,” British Chambers of Commerce president Ruby McGregor-Smith said of the government’s plans for worker visas.

From Quartz

The pungent flames of a thimble full of Reaper paste take me back to the parking lot of the pepper festival, and the heat here, though formidable and making me cry, is nothing like the heat was there.

From Popular-Science

There’s one possible state where the molecules are crowded into the thimble.

From Quanta Magazine

They could lower a tiny, thimble-sized cup into a glass or pitcher and draw up their own drinking water.

From The Daily Beast

You didnt think that your gold thimble would make pretty things for Dr. Lakes wife, did you?

From Project Gutenberg

However, no wonder, as you had never heard of the thimble and pea game, but I will tell you.

From Project Gutenberg

The son Peter was admitted as a master in the thimble trade in 1527.

From Project Gutenberg

"I can make it any size I please, from a thimble to a sentry-box," said the Goblin.

From Project Gutenberg

The thimble denoted a thrifty housewife; the button, a life of single blessedness; and the nutmeg, a good cook.

From Project Gutenberg