端点 (duān diǎn) — endpoint, terminal point | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Geometric/math sense: an endpoint of a line segment or curve (cf. 起点 = starting point). In computing it also means an API or server endpoint.

noun

endpointterminal point

Examples

端点AB。
Zhè tiáo xiàn duàn de liǎng gè duān diǎn bèi chēng wéi diǎn A hé diǎn B.
The two endpoints of this line segment are called point A and point B.
端点。
Fú wù qì duān diǎn xū yào dìng qī wéi hù.
Server endpoints require regular maintenance.
，端点。
Zài wù lǐ shí yàn zhōng, wù tǐ yùn dòng de qǐ diǎn hé duān diǎn dōu yào jì lù.
In physics experiments, both the starting point and the endpoint of object motion need to be recorded.

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.

端 gives the idea of an end, and 点 specifies a point.

Characters in this word

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

立耑端

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

耑

耑zhuān端duān

Same sound today

端 is made by putting 立 beside 耑. The 立 part is connected to the meaning, and 耑 gives the sound.

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 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

黑占點

Meaning part形符xíngfú

黑黑hēiblack

Sound part声符shēngfú

占

占zhàn點diǎn(r)

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Appears in

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