thumbscrew definitions

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: instrument of torture that crushes the thumb
2: screw designed to be turned with the thumb and fingers

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 1788 1. an instrument of torture for compressing the thumb by a screw 2. a screw having a flat-sided or knurled head so that it may be turned by the thumb and index finger

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 an instrument of torture for crushing the thumbs. 2 a screw with a flattened head for turning with the thumb and forefinger.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Thumbscrew Thumb"screw`, n. 1. A screw having a flat-sided or knurled head, so that it may be turned by the thumb and forefinger. 2. An old instrument of torture for compressing the thumb by a screw; a thumbkin.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

also thumb screw(thumbscrews) 1. A thumbscrew is an object that was used in the past to torture people by crushing their thumbs. N-COUNT 2. If someone puts the thumbscrews on you, they start to put you under extreme pressure in order to force you to do something. N-COUNT