thread
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thread
A spiral groove cut onto a cylinder (as on a screw) or into a cylindrical opening (as in a nut) that is used to connect parts.
Die Schraube lässt sich nicht eindrehen, weil das Gewinde beschädigt ist.
The screw cannot be screwed in because the thread is damaged.
'Gewinde' (thread) is derived from the verb 'winden' (to wind/twist), which means 'drehen' (to turn) or 'wickeln' (to wrap). A 'Gewinde' is therefore something 'Gewundenes' (wound/twisted) or 'Gedrehtes' (turned), which perfectly describes the spiral shape.
Der Wind windet die Blätter durch die Luft.
The wind whirls the leaves through the air.
In a technical context, there are fixed expressions. Craftspeople can 'ein Gewinde schneiden' (to cut a thread / make a thread). A distinction is made between an 'Außengewinde' (external thread, on a screw) and an 'Innengewinde' (internal thread, in a nut).
Der Handwerker muss ein neues Gewinde in das Metallrohr schneiden.
The craftsperson has to cut a new thread into the metal pipe.
The botanical meaning of 'Gewinde' (tendrils) for plant tendrils is very rare. It is found almost only in the specialized language of botany or in older, literary language.
In dem alten Gedicht war von dem grünen Gewinde der Rosen die Rede.
In the old poem, there was talk of the green tendrils of the roses.
The context makes the meaning clear. If you are talking about screws, nuts, pipes, or repairs, the technical meaning is always intended. Only in connection with plants such as ivy or grapevines could the rare botanical meaning occur.
Pass auf, dass du das Gewinde der Flasche nicht überdrehst.
Be careful not to overtighten the thread of the bottle.
shaft
'der Schaft' and 'das Gewinde' can both be parts of a screw or bolt. That is why they are easy to confuse. The shaft is the smooth, cylindrical part between the head and the thread. The thread is the part with the spiral groove that turns into a nut or into a material. In practical terms: the smooth part is the 'Schaft'; the grooved part used for turning is the 'Gewinde'.
Das Gewinde ist beschädigt, deshalb lässt sich die Mutter nicht festdrehen.
The thread is damaged, so the nut cannot be tightened.
Der Schaft der Schraube ist glatt und hat keine Rillen.
The shaft of the screw is smooth and has no grooves.