thimble

[ thim-buhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a small cap, usually of metal, worn over the fingertip to protect it when pushing a needle through cloth in sewing.
Mechanics. any of various similar devices or attachments.
Nautical. a metal ring with a concave groove on the outside, used to line the outside of a ring of rope forming an eye.
a sleeve of sheet metal passing through the wall of a chimney, for holding the end of a stovepipe or the like.
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 /

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

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

Origin of thimble¹

Old English thӯmel thumbstall, from thūma thumb

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

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

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

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

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

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

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