Definitions
used in 礌石[léi shí]; Taiwan pr. [lèi]
Etymology
About
礌 is a phono-semantic compound, normally written with the stone radical 石 on the left and the character 雷 ('thunder') on the right (variant horizontal arrangements exist). The stone radical places the meaning firmly in the domain of rocks and stones, while 雷 indicates the pronunciation. The character denotes large stones or boulders that were stockpiled to be rolled down from city walls or steep embankments as a defensive siege tactic. The phonetic 雷 not only supplies the sound but aptly evokes the thunderous crash of these stones hurtling downhill. Due to its specific military application, 礌 is found mainly in historical military manuals, fortification records, and classical war narratives.
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