圆顶 (yuán dǐng) — dome (especially in astronomy) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A dome-shaped roof, typically the rotating structure on top of an observatory housing a telescope. In astronomy, 圆顶 often refers to the observatory dome itself rather than just its shape.

noun

dome (especially in astronomy)

Measure word · 个

Examples

圆顶，。
Tiān wén tái de yuán dǐng kě yǐ dǎ kāi, fāng biàn guān cè xīng kōng.
The dome of the observatory can open to facilitate stargazing.
圆顶，。
Zhè zuò jiàn zhù yǒu yí gè jù dà de yuán dǐng, lǐ miàn fàng zhe wàng yuǎn jìng.
This building has a huge dome with a telescope inside.
。
Yuán dǐng tiān wén tái shì yán jiū xīng xing de zhòng yào chǎng suǒ.
A dome observatory is an important place for studying stars.

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.

圆 gives roundness and 顶 gives the top, forming a dome.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 圓; 圆 is its simplified writing.

囗員圓

Meaning part形符xíngfú

囗囗wéi

Sound part声符shēngfú

員

員yuán圓yuán

Same sound today

This is about the traditional form 圓, not the simplified 圆. In 圓, 囗 surrounds 員, and the inner part of 員 is an old circle picture.

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 頂; 顶 is its simplified writing.

丁頁頂

Meaning part形符xíngfú

頁頁yèhead

Sound part声符shēngfú

丁

丁dīng頂dǐng

Same sound today

The traditional form 頂 pairs 頁, meaning head, with 丁, which supplies the sound; the simplified 顶 is a later abbreviation.

Appears in

Buildings & Structures Sky & Space

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