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thimble

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(t̸him′bəl)

noun

a small cap of metal, plastic, etc. worn as a protection on the finger that pushes the needle in sewing
anything like this; esp., a grooved, metal ring inserted in a loop of rope or in a sail's rope hole to prevent wear

Origin: ME thimbel (with unhistoric -b-) < OE thymel, thumbstall < thuma, thumb + -el, dim. suffix

See thimble in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A hard pitted cup worn for protection on the finger that pushes the needle in sewing.
Any of various tubular sockets or sleeves in machinery.
Nautical
a. A metal ring fitted in an eye of a sail to prevent chafing.
b. A metal ring around which a rope splice is passed.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English thimbil

Origin: , alteration of Old English thȳmel, leather finger covering

Origin: , from thūma, thumb; see teuə- in Indo-European roots

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