(xùn) — (bound form) to die for a cause, such as duty or love; (bound form, historical) to be buried alive with the dead

Definition

A bound (bookish) verb that only appears in compounds like 殉职 ('die in the line of duty') or 殉国 ('die for one's country'). The historical sense 殉葬 ('be buried alive with the dead') is the original meaning.

bound form
to die for a causesuch as duty or love(bound form, historical) to be buried alive with the dead

Examples

  • Tā yīn gōng xùn zhí le.
    He died in the line of duty.
  • Lì shǐ shàng yǒu hěn duō rén wéi le guó jiā xùn guó.
    Throughout history, many people died for their country.
  • Zài gǔ dài, nú lì cháng bèi yòng lái xùn zàng.
    In ancient times, slaves were often used for sacrificial burial.

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
Sound part声符shēngfú
xúnxùn
Same sound today

The left part 歹 relates to death, and the right part 旬 gives the sound.

Appears in

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