械 (xiè) — (bound form) machinery; mechanical; (bound form) weaponry; weapons
Definition
A bound morpheme meaning 'machine' or 'weapon' — almost always attached to another character, as in 机械 (machinery) or 枪械 (firearms). Never stands alone in modern Chinese.
bound form
machinerymechanicalweaponryweapons
Examples
- 。Zhè jià fēi jī shǐ yòng le zuì xiān jìn de jī xiè jì shù.This aircraft uses the most advanced mechanical technology.
- 。Zhè jiā gōng chǎng zhǔ yào shēng chǎn yī liáo qì xiè.This factory mainly produces medical equipment.
- 。Jǐng fāng jiǎo huò le dà liàng de qiāng xiè.The police seized a large amount of firearms.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
械 pairs 木, meaning wood, with 戒 for sound. The early sense was handcuffs or shackles, later extended to devices.
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