Word Meanings - THUMBSCREW - Book Publishers vocabulary database

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.

Related words: (words related to THUMBSCREW)

• HAVENED
  Sheltered in a haven. Blissful havened both from joy and pain. Keats.
• SIDEBOARD
  A piece of dining-room furniture having compartments and shelves for keeping or displaying articles of table service. At a stately sideboard, by the wine, That fragrant smell diffused. Milton.
• SIDESADDLE
  A saddle for women, in which the rider sits with both feet on one side of the animal mounted. Sidesaddle flower , a plant with hollow leaves and curiously shaped flowers; -- called also huntsman's cup. See Sarracenia.
• HAVENER
  A harbor master.
• INSTRUMENTAL
  Pertaining to, made by, or prepared for, an instrument, esp. a musical instrument; as, instrumental music, distinguished from vocal music. "He defended the use of instrumental music in public worship." Macaulay. Sweet voices mix'd with instrumental
• TURNINGNESS
  The quality of turning; instability; tergiversation. Sir P. Sidney.
• TURNSTONE
  Any species of limicoline birds of the genera Strepsilas and Arenaria, allied to the plovers, especially the common American and European species . They are so called from their habit of turning up small stones in search of mollusks and
• TURNING
  The pieces, or chips, detached in the process of turning from the material turned. (more info) 1. The act of one who, or that which, turns; also, a winding; a bending course; a fiexure; a meander. Through paths and turnings often trod
• SIDEWALK
  A walk for foot passengers at the side of a street or road; a foot pavement.
• TURN-SICK
  Giddy. Bacon.
• THUMBLESS
  Without a thumb. Darwin.
• HAVELOCK
  A light cloth covering for the head and neck, used by soldiers as a protection from sunstroke.
• THUMBKIN
  An instrument of torture for compressing the thumb; a thumbscrew.
• TURNVEREIN
  A company or association of gymnasts and athletes.
• TURNHALLE
  A building used as a school of gymnastics.
• TURNSPIT
  A small breed of dogs having a long body and short crooked legs. These dogs were formerly much used for turning a spit on which meat was roasting. (more info) 1. One who turns a spit; hence, a person engaged in some menial office. His lordship
• TURNSOLE
  + sole the sun, L. sol. See Turn, Solar, a., and cf. A plant of the genus Heliotropium; heliotrope; -- so named because its flowers are supposed to turn toward the sun. The sunflower. A kind of spurge . The euphorbiaceous plant Chrozophora
• TURN-BUCKLE
  A loop or sleeve with a screw thread at one end and a swivel at the other, -- used for tightening a rod, stay, etc. A gravitating catch, as for fastening a shutter, the end of a chain, or a hasp.
• SIDELING
  Sidelong; on the side; laterally; also, obliquely; askew. A fellow nailed up maps . . . some sideling, and others upside down. Swift.
• SIDE-SLIP
  See BELOW
• RE-TURN
  To turn again.
• CROWN SIDE
  See OFFICE
• WAYSIDE
  The side of the way; the edge or border of a road or path.
• DISSIDENT
  No agreeing; dissenting; discordant; different. Our life and manners be dissident from theirs. Robynson (More's Utopia). (more info) sit apart, to disagree; dis- + sedere to sit: cf. F. dissident. See
• HILLSIDE
  The side or declivity of a hill.
• ASIDE
  1. On, or to, one side; out of a straight line, course, or direction; at a little distance from the rest; out of the way; apart. Thou shalt set aside that which is full. 2 Kings iv. 4. But soft! but soft! aside: here comes the king. Shak.
• TWO-SIDED
  Symmetrical. (more info) 1. Having two sides only; hence, double-faced; hypocritical.
• NOCTURNAL
  1. Of, pertaining to, done or occuring in, the night; as, nocturnal darkness, cries, expedition, etc.; -- opposed to Ant: diurnal. Dryden. 2. Having a habit of seeking food or moving about at night; as, nocturnal birds and insects.
• WHITESIDE
  The golden-eye.
• SATURNISM
  Plumbum. Quain.
• CONSIDERINGLY
  With consideration or deliberation.
• UNCONSIDERED
  Not considered or attended to; not regarded; inconsiderable; trifling. A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles. Shak.
• INSIDIOUS
  insidere to sit in; pref. in- + sedere to sit: cf. F. insidieux. See 1. Lying in wait; watching an opportunity to insnare or entrap; deceitful; sly; treacherous; -- said of persons; as, the insidious foe. "The insidious witch." Cowper. 2. Intended
• TEMPER SCREW
  1. A screw link, to which is attached the rope of a rope-drilling apparatus, for feeding and slightly turning the drill jar at each stroke. 2. A set screw used for adjusting.
• OBSIDIONAL
  Of or pertaining to a siege. Obsidional crown , a crown bestowed upon a general who raised the siege of a beleaguered place, or upon one who held out against a siege.