Thimbles

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈθɪmb(ə)lz/

Definitions

1. A small protective covering for the fingertip, often used in sewing to push a needle through fabric
2. A household item made of metal or plastic that shields the finger while stitching
3. A tool found in many craft kits that assists with sewing tasks, preventing finger pricks and aiding precision

Etymology: "Thimbles" is simply the plural of "thimble," so its history is that of the singular noun. The base word is Old English "þȳmel," a thumb-related term that originally meant a thumb-covering, which is why the object's name points to the part of the body it protects, not the finger. The "-le" element in "thimble" is a diminutive-type ending, so the word essentially means a little thumb-like covering. Over time the word's form shifted, and it moved from its earlier sense of any small protective covering to the specific sewing tool that now protects the fingertip. Because the thimble was usually worn on the middle finger while pushing a needle through cloth, the English name for the protector came to be tied to the thumb in name but to the finger in use.

Synonyms: fingerstalls, protectors, covers