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thumbscrews

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thumbscrew

One entry found.

Main Entry: thumb·screw

Pronunciation: \-ˌskrü\

Function: noun

Date: 1788

1 : 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

[thumbscrew illustration]

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Learn more about "thumbscrews" and related topics at Britannica.com

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