thimble

A vintage illustration of a finger wearing a thimble and pushing a needle through fabric.
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A vintage illustration of a finger wearing a thimble and pushing a needle through fabric.

This image uses a visual metaphor to connect the thimble with its purpose. A finger pushing a needle through fabric, with a metallic thimble protecting the fingertip. The 'vintage' style adds a touch of nostalgia and craftsmanship associated with sewing.

  1. noun — thimbles
    1. A pitted, now usually metal, cup-shaped cap worn on the tip of a finger, which is used in sewing to push the needle through material.
      • She had worn a hole through her silver thimble, and wanted Owen to repair it.
    2. As much as fills a thimble (sense 1); a thimbleful.
    3. An object which resembles a thimble (sense 1) in shape or size.
    4. A metal ring which a cable or rope intended for attaching to other things is looped around as a protection against chafing.
    5. A ring- or tube-shaped component such as a ferrule.
  2. verb — thimbles; thimbling; thimbled
    1. To use a thimble (noun sense 1).
    2. To sew.
Derivatives thimbleberry thimbled thimbleeye thimbleful thimbleman thimblerig thimblerigger thimbleweed