thumbtack

[ thuhm-tak ]

/ ˈθʌmˌtæk /

a tack with a large, flat head, designed to be thrust into a board or other fairly soft object or surface by the pressure of the thumb.

to attach or tack by means of a thumbtack.

Origin of thumbtack

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; thumb + tack¹

She took the miniature, thumbtack and all, from the wall, 183 and put it in her wrist bag.

Out of the Air |Inez Haynes Irwin
Lay the stencil pattern in position and thumbtack it down to the cheese cloth and blotting paper.

The Library of Work and Play: Needlecraft |Effie Archer Archer
If knives are used to cut out the design, thumbtack the leather before commencing.

The Library of Work and Play: Needlecraft |Effie Archer Archer
The latter she suspended by a thumbtack beside the mirror of her bureau.

Out of the Air |Inez Haynes Irwin

A thumbtack is inserted in the standard near the top to prevent the box from being lifted entirely from the base.

The Boy Mechanic, Book 2 |Various

thumbtack

/ (ˈθʌmˌtæk) /

mainly US and Canadian a short tack with a broad smooth head for fastening papers to a drawing board, etc Also called (esp in Britain): drawing pin