Aufgewickelten

Aufgewickelten is the past participle form of the verb aufwickeln in German, used as an adjective or in compound predicates. It denotes that something has been wound up or coiled around a core or around itself, typically referring to wires, cables, ropes, threads, or springs. Common instances include phrases like ein aufgewickelter Draht or eine aufgewickelte Feder, where the object is physically arranged in a coil or spool.

Grammatically, aufgewickelten is an inflected form. After a definite article it can appear as der aufgewickelte Draht (nom. masc. sg) or der aufgewickelte Draht, and in other cases as dem aufgewickelten Draht (dat. masc. sg). In plural it becomes die aufgewickelten Drähte (nom. pl) or den aufgewickelten Drähten (dat. pl). With indefinite articles, e.g., ein aufgewickelter Draht, the endings reflect the same pattern. The form aufgewickelten is therefore common in dative singular masculine and other inflected positions.

Etymology and usage notes: the word is built from the prefix auf- and the verb wickeln (to wind or coil). It is frequently encountered in technical contexts, such as manufacturing, engineering, or textile and cable descriptions, where objects are described as already wound onto a spool or core. A related opposite form is abgewickelt, meaning unwound or uncoiled. The term can also appear in metaphorical or literary contexts, though its primary association remains physical winding.