(líng) — (noun) ice (in compounds like 冰凌, 凌汛); (noun) a surname

Definition

As a standalone noun, 凌 chiefly means ice (esp. icicles), as in 冰凌. It is also a common surname. The verb senses (soar, bully, insult) exist but are not foregrounded here.

noun
ice (in compounds like 冰凌, 凌汛)a surname

Examples

  • Dōng tiān wū yán xià yǒu hěn duō bīng líng.
    There are many icicles under the eaves in winter.
  • Tā shuō tā xìng líng.
    He said his surname is Ling.
  • Zǎo shàng, bīng líng zài yáng guāng xià fā guāng.
    In the morning, the icicles shine in the sunlight.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Written in full asbīngice
Sound part声符shēngfú
línglíng
Same sound today

In 凌, the left part 冫 relates to ice, while the right part 夌 gives the pronunciation.

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