thumbscrew

A noun with two distinct meanings: an instrument of torture that crushes the thumb, or a screw designed to be turned with the thumb and fingers.

• 🇪🇸Sustantivo con dos significados diferentes: un instrumento de tortura que aprieta el pulgar, o un tornillo diseñado para girarse con el pulgar y el índice.

1. Instrument of torture C2 formal

   A device used historically to crush the thumb as a form of torture or coercion.

   • The prisoner was subjected to the thumbscrew to extract a confession.
   • Thumbscrews were a common tool during the Inquisition.
   • The museum displayed an ancient thumbscrew used in medieval times.

   🇪🇸Tornillo de tortura

2. Mechanical fastener C1 formal

   A screw with a large head designed to be turned by the thumb and fingers, without needing a tool.

   • He tightened the thumbscrew on the clamp by hand.
   • The device uses a thumbscrew for quick adjustments.
   • You can loosen the thumbscrew to remove the panel.

   🇪🇸Tornillo de mariposa

• thumbscrews plural form
• thumbscrews' possessive plural form
• thumbscrew's possessive singular form