thimble
THIM-bl
/ˈθɪmbl/
A small metal or plastic cap worn on the finger to protect it and push the needle while sewing.
A thimble is specifically designed to be hard (usually metal, leather, or heavy plastic) to withstand the pressure of pushing a needle through tough material.
The story behind the word. The word 'thimble' has deep Germanic roots, deriving from the Old English 'þȳmel' (thymel), which meant 'thumb-stall' or 'thumb-covering'. This was derived from 'þūma' (thuma), the Old English word for 'thumb', reflecting the ancient practice of wearing the protective cap on the thumb rather than the middle finger.
Word relationships
- finger-guard: Finger-guard is a general term for any protective finger covering, while a thimble is specifically designed for sewing.
Commonly confused with
- finger-cot: A thimble is a hard, rigid cap used to push needles in sewing, while a finger-cot is a flexible rubber sheath used to protect injured fingers or improve grip.
Word family
- thimbleful (noun): A very small quantity, as much as a thimble can hold.
Collocations
- silver thimble
- sewing thimble
- wear a thimble
- thimble-sized
Example sentences
- "He gave her a thimble, and she gave him an acorn, and they called them kisses." A whimsical description from a children's classic. (J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan (1911))
Memory hook
Think of a 'thimble' as a tiny 'thimble-sized' helmet for your 'thumb' or finger. Thimble: finger helmet for sewing.
When not to use
Do not confuse a thimble with a finger-cot, which is a soft latex sheath used for hygiene or grip, not needle protection.
Fun facts
- In the classic board game Monopoly, the thimble was one of the original tokens introduced in 1935, representing household thrift, before being retired in 2017.
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