noun
(sewing) A pitted, now usually metal, cup-shaped cap worn on the tip of a finger, which is used in sewing to push the needle through material.
As much as fills a thimble (sense 1); a thimbleful.
(also attributively) An object which resembles a thimble (sense 1) in shape or size.
(nautical) A metal ring which a cable or rope intended for attaching to other things is looped around as a protection against chafing.
(technology) A ring- or tube-shaped component such as a ferrule.
verb
(intransitive) To use a thimble (noun sense 1).
(intransitive, by extension) To sew.