thumbscrew

[ thuhm-skroo ]

noun

1. a screw, the head of which is so constructed that it may be turned easily with the thumb and a finger.
2. Often thumbscrews. an old instrument of torture by which one or both thumbs were compressed.

thumbscrew

/ ˈθʌmˌskruː /

noun

1. an instrument of torture that pinches or crushes the thumbs
2. a screw with projections on its head enabling it to be turned by the thumb and forefinger

Word History and Origins

Origin of thumbscrew¹

First recorded in 1705–15; thumb + screw

Example Sentences

Also on Saturday night, I caught a performance at Public Records by the trio Thumbscrew, with Mary Halvorson on guitar, Michael Formanek on bass and Tomas Fujiwara on drums.

From New York Times

In addition to Thumbscrew’s own vibrant compositions, the trio also let loose a wild take on Mingus’s “Orange Was the Color of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk.”

From New York Times

There are really only two things this game doesn’t simulate: misplacing that last thumbscrew and getting thermal paste on absolutely everything.

From The Verge

The guitarist and MacArthur fellow Mary Halvorson works in all kinds of scenarios, but there’s no better way to get acquainted with her wavy, wiry style than to hear her play with Thumbscrew.

From New York Times

When Thumbscrew plays a livestream on Friday at 8 p.m.

From New York Times