Thumbscrew: meaning, definitions and examples
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thumbscrew
[ θʌmˌskruː ]
historical tool
A thumbscrew is a device used for torture or interrogation where pressure is applied to the thumb or fingers, causing immense pain. It consists of a screw mechanism that tightens around the joints. The word has historical significance, often associated with dark periods when such mechanisms were employed to extract confessions or punish individuals.
Synonyms
screw press, torture device.
Examples of usage
- The inquisitors used a thumbscrew to extract confessions.
- He felt the agonizing pressure of the thumbscrew tightening.
- In historical accounts, thumbscrews were notorious for their cruelty.
Translations
Translations of the word "thumbscrew" in other languages:
🇵🇹 parafuso de polegar
🇮🇳 अंगूठे का स्क्रू
🇩🇪 Daumenschraube
🇮🇩 sekrup ibu jari
🇺🇦 гвинт для великого пальця
🇵🇱 śruba do kciuka
🇯🇵 サムスクリュー
🇫🇷 vis à pouce
🇪🇸 tornillo de pulgar
🇹🇷 baş parmak vida
🇰🇷 엄지 나사
🇸🇦 برغي الإبهام
🇨🇿 palcová šroub
🇸🇰 palcový skrutka
🇨🇳 拇指螺丝
🇸🇮 možna vijak
🇮🇸 þumalfesting
🇰🇿 бас бармақ бұранда
🇬🇪 გულისძირის ხრახნი
🇦🇿 baş barmağın vint
🇲🇽 tornillo de pulgar
Etymology
The term 'thumbscrew' has its origins in the Middle Ages, derived from the combination of the words 'thumb' and 'screw.' The screw mechanism was invented in ancient times, but its application as a tool for torture became prominent during medieval Europe. Thumbscrews were designed not just to bruise, but to severely injure or cripple the fingers of the victims, often used in conjunction with other forms of torture. The use of such devices reflected the brutal methods of law enforcement and the judicial system of that era, showcasing the extremes to which authorities would go to extract information or punish those deemed guilty.