About
犀 originally referred to the rhinoceros, an animal once native to parts of early China. It is a phono-semantic compound: the bovine component 牛 (niú) categorizes it as a large hoofed beast, while 尾 (wěi) provides the sound, though the phonetic has been graphically corrupted into forms now resembling 尸 and 辛. Because the rhinoceros horn was highly prized for its extreme hardness, the character's meaning extended metaphorically to describe things that are exceptionally sharp, penetrating, or incisive, especially weapons or sharply analytical words.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
犀牛是一种动物。
他的目光很犀利。
这把刀非常犀利。
犀牛有厚厚的皮肤。
她提出了犀利的问题。
犀鸟是一种美丽的鸟。
犀牛的犀角被认为有药用价值。
他的分析总是那么犀利和透彻。
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