thumbscrew
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
thumbscrew (plural thumbscrews)
- A screw that can be turned with the thumb and fingers.
- An instrument of torture used to crush the fingers.
- (figuratively) A weakness that can be taken advantage of.
- Law 33: Discover Each Man's Thumbscrew ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
Synonyms[edit]
- (torture instrument): pilliwinks
Translations[edit]
type of screw
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torture instrument
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.