See Also: thumbscrew(dictionary)
thumbscrew(dictionary)

thumbscrew (iou)



thumbscrew noun & verb. L18.
[from THUMB noun + SCREW noun1.]
A. noun.
A screw with a flattened or winged head, for turning with the thumb and fingers; a small clamp adjusted by such a screw. L18.
An instrument of torture for crushing the thumbs. Usu. in pl. E19.
fig.: Marketing The thumbscrews are on for us to find..alternatives to CFCs.
b. verb trans. Torture (as) with thumbscrews. L18.