thimbleeye

Noun

thimbleeye (plural thimbleeyes)

1. An Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias).
   • July 25, 1887, the schooner Peter Cooper caught 6000 thimbleeye mackerel off Manasquan N. J.1904, Tarleton H. Bean, “Fishes of New York”, in New York State Museum 56th Annual Report, volume 2, page 383
   • A schooling fish of temperate waters, chub mackerel or thimbleeye migrates in much greater numbers to New Jersey than into New York waters .1978, John Laurence McHugh, Jay J. C. Ginter, Fisheries, page 68
2. A loop at the end of a rope that is protected from chafing by a thimble (metal ring).
   • Each end of the runner has a thimble-eye splice , with a strong hook at the end of the standing part.1878, Dixon Kemp, A Manual of Yacht and Boat Sailing, page 105
   • Thimbleeye nuts are installed on through bolt, and pole is protected with curved washers.2006, Thomas M. Shoemaker, Thomas Shoemaker, James E. Mack, Lineman and Cableman's Handbook, page 12-29