About
The character "缩", originating from its traditional form "縮", structurally integrates the silk radical "糸" with the component "宿", which provides phonetic guidance while subtly contributing a notion of collecting or consolidating. This construction initially reflected concrete actions like tightening threads or drawing fabric together, thus establishing its fundamental senses of contracting, retracting, or diminishing. Classical texts employed the character to denote physical withdrawal, the shortening of materials, or frugality in resource use. Subsequent semantic development saw these meanings extend into abstract and technical realms, such as describing the shortening of muscles in biological contexts, the reduction of substances under physical conditions, and the condensing of narratives or ideas, illustrating a progression from specific physical manipulations to a wide array of metaphorical and specialized applications.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个气球慢慢缩小了。
他缩短了会议时间。
肌肉在寒冷时收缩。
他面对困难不退缩。
我们需要压缩文件大小。
经济衰退导致市场需求萎缩。
由于温度下降，金属管道略微收缩了。
在压力下，他不仅没有退缩，反而缩短了完成项目的时间。