das Fadenmesser, –
thread cutter
Definition & meaning
The term Fadenmesser refers to two distinct technical instruments used for measurement and inspection:
- Linen Tester (Textiles and Printing): A specialized magnifying glass with a fixed focus and a square base that usually features a built-in scale. It is primarily used by printers to check the screen or registration of a print, and by textile manufacturers to count the number of threads in a specific area of fabric.
- Thread Gauge (Mechanics): A tool consisting of several metal blades, each with a specific serrated profile corresponding to the pitch of a screw thread. It is used to identify the pitch of a bolt or the internal thread of a hole.
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a masculine noun. Its plural form remains the same as the singular: der Fadenmesser (singular), die Fadenmesser (plural).
It is a compound noun formed from two parts:
- Faden: Meaning "thread" or "filament".
- Messer: In this specific context, it is derived from the verb messen (to measure), meaning "measurer" or "gauge". It should not be confused with the German word for "knife" (which is also Messer), although they share the same spelling.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- In the context of optics/textiles: Lupenglas or Standlupe.
- In the context of mechanics: Gewindelehre or Gewindeschablone.
Antonyms:
There are no direct antonyms for this technical term as it describes a specific tool. In a very broad sense, one might consider instruments that do not measure, but such a comparison is not standard in technical German.
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Examples
Hast du die Fadenmesser bereits gründlich gereinigt?noun
Have you already thoroughly cleaned the thread cutters?
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