Thimbleful: meaning, definitions and examples
๐งต
thimbleful
[ หฮธษชm.bษl.fษl ]
quantity, measurement
A thimbleful is a small amount of liquid or substance that can be contained in a thimble, which is a small protective cap used for sewing. The term is often used metaphorically to indicate a very tiny quantity, particularly in reference to liquids. In everyday usage, it conveys the idea of a minuscule measurement, highlighting the limited capacity of a thimble compared to standard measurement units. It can also suggest a trivial or insignificant amount in discussions about resources or contributions.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She poured a thimbleful of milk into her tea.
- Only a thimbleful of paint was left in the can.
- The garden survived on a thimbleful of rain.
- He added a thimbleful of sugar to his coffee.
Translations
Translations of the word "thimbleful" in other languages:
๐ต๐น pouquinho
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฅเคฟเคฎเฅเคฌเคฒเคซเฅเคฒ
๐ฉ๐ช Thimble voll
๐ฎ๐ฉ sedikit
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะฐะปะตัั
๐ต๐ฑ ลyลผeczka
๐ฏ๐ต ๆใฌใใฎ้
๐ซ๐ท une petite quantitรฉ
๐ช๐ธ una pizca
๐น๐ท parmak ucu
๐ฐ๐ท ์๋
๐ธ๐ฆ ูููู
๐จ๐ฟ kousek
๐ธ๐ฐ kรบsok
๐จ๐ณ ๆๅฅ็้
๐ธ๐ฎ mali del
๐ฎ๐ธ litli
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะบััะบะตะฝัะฐะน
๐ฌ๐ช แกแแแกแฃแฅแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ kiรงik
๐ฒ๐ฝ un poquitito
Etymology
The word 'thimbleful' is derived from the noun 'thimble', which comes from the Old English 'thymel', meaning 'to thumb', as the thimble was used to protect the thumb while sewing. The suffix 'ful' implies 'full of' or 'having the quality of', thus forming a term that literally means 'full of thimble'. As sewing became a common household activity, the term gained usage in the English language, reflecting the diminutive and specific nature of the measurement. The concept of a 'thimbleful' points to both a practical use in sewing and a figurative sense in describing small quantities. Over time, it has evolved into a poetic way to express scarcity or the minimal amount of something, often coloring the language with vivid imagery of smallness and precision.