thumbikins

I should have mentioned that stag-horns and bulls 'horns (the petrified relics of the old mountain monster, I mean), and so forth, are suspended in great abundance above all the doorways of these armories; and that, in one corner, a dark one as it ought to be, there is a complete assortment of the old Scottish instruments of torture, not forgetting the very thumbikins under which

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 12, No. 339, November 8, 1828 Various

He is accustomed to the use of thumbikins and the most approved and fashionable modes of torture; and officiated for many years as superintendent of the wheel of a foreign prince, renowned for the neatness of his rack.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 55, No. 341, March, 1844 Various

The sulky dogs would rather have three twists of a rack, or the thumbikins for an hour, than pay out a denier for their own feudal father and liege lord.

The White Company Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1902

The sulky dogs would rather have three twists of a rack, or the thumbikins for an hour, than pay out a denier for their own feudal father and liege lord.

The White Company Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1902

'I should clap on the thumbikins,' said one fierce-faced old soldier.

Micah Clarke His Statement as made to his three grandchildren Joseph, Gervas and Reuben During the Hard Winter of 1734 Arthur Conan Doyle 1894

The sulky dogs would rather have three twists of a rack, or the thumbikins for an hour, than pay out a denier for their own feudal father and liege lord.

The White Company Arthur Conan Doyle 1894

Old Pappenheimer shut him up with a ton of metal, and threatened to put the thumbikins upon him unless he changed it into gold pieces.

Micah Clarke His Statement as made to his three grandchildren Joseph, Gervas and Reuben During the Hard Winter of 1734 Arthur Conan Doyle 1894

The sulky dogs would rather have three twists of a rack, or the thumbikins for an hour, than pay out a denier for their own feudal father and liege lord.

The White Company 1890

I have a pair of thumbikins also much at his service, if he requires their assistance to glorify God and the Covenant.

Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume V (of 10) 1824

Being compelled, at last, to retire without their object -- though not without threatening Catherine with the thumbikins, if she persevered in refusing to discover her lover's retreat -- the family of Barjarg was once more left to enjoy its wonted quietude and peace.

Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 17 John Mackay Wilson 1819