thumbscrew
thumbscrew — noun
- thumbscrewsingular
- thumbscrewsplural
1. a metal instrument used in past centuries to squeeze and break a person's thumb,
a metal instrument used in past centuries to squeeze and break a person's thumb, often as a method of punishment or to force someone to confess to a crime
The museum displayed an iron thumbscrew used by interrogators in the 1600s.
passive: 'was used by [agent]' in historical context
Folake read about the thumbscrew in her history textbook and felt grateful for modern laws.
During the trial, the old document described how a thumbscrew was used to obtain confessions.
Sirin's history class examined a replica of a 17th-century thumbscrew during their lesson.
Historians believe the thumbscrew was one of the most feared tools in Europe's torture chambers.
- thumbkin
a less common historical English name for the same device
文法句型
a thumbscrew
the thumbscrew
thumbscrews (plural)
用法筆記
Almost always used in historical or literary contexts today. In figurative use (e.g., 'put the thumbscrews on someone'), the word means to apply strong pressure or coercion.
常見錯誤
2. a screw with a ridged or flattened head that can be tightened or loosened easily
a screw with a ridged or flattened head that can be tightened or loosened easily using only a person's thumb and finger, without needing any tools
Ryo tightened the thumbscrew on the lamp's base until the arm stayed in place.
verb pattern: 'tighten [object] on [location]'
The carpenter used a large thumbscrew to fasten the wooden clamp on his workbench.
Esteban replaced the kitchen faucet's broken thumbscrew with a new one from the hardware store.
Rohan turned the brass thumbscrew on the tripod to lock the camera in place.
A small brass thumbscrew on the camera mount let Kemi adjust the angle quickly.
- knurled screw
a screw with a textured outer surface for grip, similar in function
- hand screw
any screw or clamp designed to be turned without tools, a broader category
文法句型
a thumbscrew
the thumbscrew
thumbscrews (plural)
tighten / loosen + a thumbscrew
用法筆記
Common in technical descriptions of equipment that needs adjustment by hand. The head of a thumbscrew is often knurled or flattened to provide grip for the fingers.