What is "thumbscrews"

Usage examples of "thumbscrews".

For a while I thought she was shamming, but the thumbscrews and the baton on the soles of her feet wouldn't make her admit to being Ledora again.

And if anything interferes with my plan, you’ll both get thumbscrews and I’ll whip you till your eyeballs fall out.

Back in the old days - hah, now - these included thumbscrews, hammers, small pointed bits of wood and, of course, the common desk drawer, always a boon to the copper in a hurry.

He thought of the thankful old woman, racked on the ladder, and of the sick little girl with thumbscrews on her thin little fingers.