From Old English thymel, literally 'thumb-tool' (from thuma 'thumb' + -el 'instrument'), because the earliest thimbles were worn on the thumb.
A small cap worn on the finger to protect it and push the needle while sewing.
From Old English thymel, derived from thuma 'thumb' with the instrumental suffix -el (denoting a tool or implement). The original meaning was 'thumb-cover' or 'thumb-tool,' since early thimbles were worn on the thumb rather than a finger. The th- spelling reflects the word's connection to thumb, though the vowel shifted