Thumbscrew

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. An old instrument of torture for compressing the thumb by


        a screw; a thumbkin.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

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