thumbkin

[ thuhm-kin ]

noun

1. thumbscrew ( def 2 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of thumbkin¹

First recorded in 1675–85; thumb + -kin

Example Sentences

She swallowed the hay with little Thumbkin in it, and took him right down into her tummy.

From Project Gutenberg

The monks of Vera Cruz can best tell thee where little 'thumbkin' is.

From Project Gutenberg

And the man took off his hat and put it on the ground, when Thumbkin jumped off and hid himself in the crevice of a tree.

From Project Gutenberg

So the man after a time agreed to sell Thumbkin for a great deal of money, and the men took him away with them.

From Project Gutenberg

But at last the paunch of the wolf was slit open, and Thumbkin jumped out and went to his mother.

From Project Gutenberg