Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
Thimble — Thim ble, n. [OE. thimbil, AS. ??mel, fr. ??ma a thumb. [root]56. See {Thumb}.] 1. A kind of cap or cover, or sometimes a broad ring, for the end of the finger, used in sewing to protect the finger when pushing the needle through the material. It … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
thimble — O.E. þymel sheath or covering for the thumb, from thuma (see THUMB (Cf. thumb)) + el, suffix used in forming names of instruments (Cf. HANDLE (Cf. handle)). Excrescent b began mid 15c. (Cf. HUMBLE (Cf. humble), NIMBLE (Cf … Etymology dictionary
thimble — ► NOUN ▪ a metal or plastic cap with a closed end, worn to protect the finger and push the needle in sewing. ORIGIN Old English, related to THUMB(Cf. ↑thumb) … English terms dictionary
thimble — [thim′bəl] n. [ME thimbel (with unhistoric b ) < OE thymel, thumbstall < thuma,THUMB + el, dim. suffix] 1. a small cap of metal, plastic, etc. worn as a protection on the finger that pushes the needle in sewing 2. anything like this; esp.,… … English World dictionary
Thimble — This article is about the protective shield worn on the finger or thumb. For the wire rope termination device, see Wire rope#Thimbles. A thimble … Wikipedia
thimble — thimblelike, adj. /thim beuhl/, n. 1. a small cap, usually of metal, worn over the fingertip to protect it when pushing a needle through cloth in sewing. 2. Mech. any of various similar devices or attachments. 3. Naut. a metal ring with a concave … Universalium
thimble — UK [ˈθɪmb(ə)l] / US noun [countable] Word forms thimble : singular thimble plural thimbles a small metal or plastic cup that you wear on your finger to protect it when you are sewing … English dictionary
thimble — Bushing Bush ing, n. [See 4th {Bush}.] 1. The operation of fitting bushes, or linings, into holes or places where wear is to be received, or friction diminished, as pivot holes, etc. [1913 Webster] 2. (Mech.) A bush or lining; sometimes called a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
thimble — [OE] A thimble is etymologically a ‘thumb implement’. The word goes back to Old English thymel, a derivative of thūma ‘thumb’. In Old English (where it is recorded only once) it was used for a ‘finger stall’. By the time it reappears in the 15th… … The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins
thimble — [[t]θɪ̱mb(ə)l[/t]] thimbles N COUNT A thimble is a small metal or plastic object which you use to protect your finger when you are sewing … English dictionary
