<p><strong>noun</strong></p><ul><li>A small cap, usually of metal, worn over the fingertip to protect it when pushing a needle through cloth in sewing.</li><li>(Mechanics) Any of various similar devices or attachments.</li><li>(Nautical) A metal ring with a concave groove on the outside, used to line the outside of a ring of rope forming an eye.</li><li>A sleeve of sheet metal passing through the wall of a chimney, for holding the end of a stovepipe or the like.</li><li>A thimble-shaped printing element with raised characters on the exterior, used in a type of electronic typewriter or computer printer thimble printer.</li></ul>