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引线 (yǐn xiàn) — fuse (for explosives); lead wire (in electronics); go-between, middleman (figurative)

Definition

Literally 'lead/pull line': a fuse that carries fire to explosives, or an electrical lead wire. Figuratively, the person who quietly connects or brokers a deal.

noun
fuse (for explosives)lead wire (in electronics)go-betweenmiddleman (figurative)
Measure word · 根

Examples

  • 引线，。
    Diǎn rán yǐn xiàn yǐ hòu, yào mǎ shàng yuǎn lí.
    After lighting the fuse, you must move away immediately.
  • 引线。
    Zhè gēn yǐn xiàn lián jiē le chuán gǎn qì hé diàn yuán.
    This lead wire connects the sensor to the power source.
  • 引线。
    Tā zài nà bǐ jiāo yì lǐ chōng dāng le yǐn xiàn.
    He acted as the go-between in that deal.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

引yǐnleading
线xiànline

引 means leading and 线 means line, giving a lead wire or fuse.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 弓弓gōngbow
  • 丿丿piěindicatory stroke

引 is made from 弓, a bow, and 丿, a short slant stroke added at the place where the string is pulled, marking the action of drawing or pulling.

Open 引 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 線; 线 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
泉
泉quán線xiàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 線 uses 糹 (silk/thread) to show the meaning and 泉 to suggest the sound; the simplified 线 is a later shorthand.

Open 线 →
Appears in
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