About
The character "凌" structurally integrates the ice radical with a phonetic component, originally denoting concepts associated with cold or frost, which formed its early semantic core. Over time, its meaning expanded beyond literal cold to metaphorical applications, such as rising above or surpassing, evident in expressions like "凌空" for soaring skyward, likely influenced by the pervasive nature of ice. This conceptual shift further extended into social contexts, where "凌" acquired senses of intimidation or domination, as seen in compounds like "欺凌" meaning to bully, reflecting a movement from physical attributes to interpersonal actions. Throughout these changes, the character's form has remained consistent, retaining the ice radical as a vestige of its etymological origins while accommodating broader and more abstract uses.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
凌晨三点，他还没睡。
他从不欺凌弱小。
她的头发有点凌乱。
山峰凌驾于云层之上。
直升机凌空而过。
她的意志凌驾于困难之上。
这些指控纯属欺凌和诬蔑。
梅花凌寒独自开。