thread

Everyday

1. Thread is a long, thin string of cotton, silk or nylon used for sewing. A spool or reel holds a lot of thread. tree →
2. A thread is one line of ideas in a story or talk: «I lost the thread». tree →
3. A thread online is a list of messages about one topic. tree →
4. To thread a needle is to push thread through its hole. tree →
5. To thread beads is to put them on a string. tree →
6. The thread of a screw is the spiral ridge around it. tree →

In the lessons

In school maths: a thing measured in length (metres, centimetres, inches) or counted in spools; pieces cut from a long thread (cuts = pieces − 1); thread per button. In everyday life and crafts: sewing on a button, threading beads, embroidery. In stories: the Greek hero Theseus used a thread to find his way out of the maze. Phrases: «a needle and thread», «thread a needle», «hang by a thread» (be in great danger), «lose the thread».

Examples

• A spool has 50 metres of thread. tree →
• She cuts the thread into 5 equal pieces. tree →
• Each button needs 20 cm of thread. tree →
• How much thread is left? tree →
• Grandma threaded the needle and sewed on my button. tree →
• We threaded beads onto a string. tree →
• Theseus followed a thread to escape the maze. tree →
• His life was hanging by a thread. tree →
• In Labakan’s box was found—a large needle with some thread! tree →

Note

Uncountable for the material («some thread»), countable for pieces («a thread», «threads»). The «ea» says «e»: «thred». Maths: a length to share or cut: equal pieces often mean division; change metres to centimetres first (1 metre is 100 centimetres). Trap: cutting a thread into 5 pieces needs only 4 cuts.

In Jewish tradition

A scarlet thread marked Zerah's hand at birth, and a blue thread fastened the high priest's mitre plate. Samson broke ropes like a thread, and the Song of Songs says lips are like a thread of scarlet.

Interpretation. Blue thread is also the one in the tzitzit fringes, which the tradition says reminds of the sky and of God's throne.

Examples

• And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand; and his name was called Zerah. (Torah GEN.38.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• And they tied unto it a thread of blue, to fasten it upon the mitre above; as the LORD commanded Moses. (Torah EXO.39.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• that I will not take a thread nor a shoe-latchet nor aught that is thine, lest thou shouldest say: I have made Abram rich; (Torah GEN.14.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he broke them from off his arms like a thread. (Prophets JDG.16.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy mouth is comely; thy temples are like a pomegranate split open behind thy veil. (Writings SNG.4.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable for the material («some thread»), countable for pieces («a thread», «threads»). The «ea» says «e»: «thred». Maths: a length to share or cut: equal pieces often mean division; change metres to centimetres first (1 metre is 100 centimetres). Trap: cutting a thread into 5 pieces needs only 4 cuts.