thimble

Everyday

1. A thimble is a small metal or plastic cap worn on the tip of your finger to protect it when you push a needle through cloth while sewing. tree →
2. A thimble is also a tiny amount, as in "a thimbleful". tree →

In the lessons

In D and T and textiles lessons pupils use thimbles when hand-sewing. In stories and games, a thimble is a small treasure; in Monopoly it was a classic playing piece. In "Peter Pan", Wendy gives Peter a "thimble" when she means a kiss. Phrases: "a thimbleful of", "hunt the thimble" (an old party game).

Examples

• Wear a thimble so the needle doesn't hurt your finger. tree →
• Grandma's silver thimble is very old. tree →
• I played as the thimble in Monopoly. tree →
• In Peter Pan, a kiss is called a thimble. tree →
• We played hunt the thimble at the party. tree →
• The doll drank from a cup no bigger than a thimble. tree →
• Add just a thimbleful of milk. tree →
• And tears dropped from her eyes on to her thimble. tree →

Note

Countable. Ending -ble like "bubble", "tumble". A thimbleful is a very small measure, not an exact unit.