pääsäie

Pääsäie is a Finnish term meaning the main or primary thread or strand. It is a compound word formed from pää, meaning head or main, and säie, meaning thread or filament. In Finnish usage, pääsäie is used to describe the central or organizing strand in a multi-strand construction, such as a yarn, rope, or cord, around which other fibers or strands are arranged or tied.

In textile and rope-making contexts, pääsäie can refer to the inner or core strand that provides the main structural support for the finished product. In yarns and cords, it may denote the leading thread used to draw, weave, or secure other components, serving as the reference strand for twisting or braiding processes. The concept is similar to terms in other languages that describe the “core” or “central” thread in a composite filament.

Beyond concrete applications, pääsäie can be used metaphorically to indicate the central element or the main line of reasoning in a project, discussion, or process. The term is most common in technical or industrial Finnish, but it may appear in manuals, product descriptions, or instructional texts dealing with fiber, textile, or rope technologies.

See also: säie, lanka, köysi, kudonta.