: an instrument of torture for compressing the thumb by a screw
2
: a screw having a flat-sided or knurled head so that it may be turned by the thumb and index finger
Illustration of thumbscrew
thumbscrew 2
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebLock the cable in place by tightening the retaining thumbscrew. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2021 Lock the cable in place by tightening the retaining thumbscrew. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2021 Lock the cable in place by tightening the retaining thumbscrew. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2021 Lock the cable in place by tightening the retaining thumbscrew. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2021 Lock the cable in place by tightening the retaining thumbscrew. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2021 Lock the cable in place by tightening the retaining thumbscrew. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2021 Lock the cable in place by tightening the retaining thumbscrew. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2021 So was the Labour Party’s use of thumbscrews on its wavering MPs.The Economist, 19 Oct. 2019 See More