Hypertext Webster Gateway: "thimble"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Thimble \Thim"ble\, n. [OE. thimbil, AS. ??mel, fr. ??ma a
thumb. [root]56. See {Thumb}.]
1. A kind of cap or cover, or sometimes a broad ring, for the
end of the finger, used in sewing to protect the finger
when pushing the needle through the material. It is
usually made of metal, and has upon the outer surface
numerous small pits to catch the head of the needle.
2. (Mech.) Any thimble-shaped appendage or fixure.
Specifically:
(a) A tubular piece, generally a strut, through which a
bolt or pin passes.
(b) A fixed or movable ring, tube, or lining placed in a
hole.
(c) A tubular cone for expanding a flue; -- called
{ferrule} in England.
3. (Naut.) A ring of thin metal formed with a grooved
circumference so as to fit within an eye-spice, or the
like, and protect it from chafing.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Bushing \Bush"ing\, n. [See 4th {Bush}.]
1. The operation of fitting bushes, or linings, into holes or
places where wear is to be received, or friction
diminished, as pivot holes, etc.
2. (Mech.) A bush or lining; -- sometimes called a {thimble}.
See 4th {Bush}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
thimble
n 1: as much as a thimble will hold [syn: {thimbleful}]
2: a small metal cap to protect the finger while sewing; can be
used as a small container
Additional Hypertext Webster Gateway Lookup
Gateway by dict@stokkie.net
stock only wrote the gateway and does not have any control over the contents;
see the Webster Gateway FAQ,
and also the Back-end/database links and credits.