About
The character 錾 (traditional: 鏨) is a phono-semantic compound denoting both a cutting tool and the act of cutting. Its lower component, 金, signifies "metal", pointing to the tool's material, typically a chisel or engraving implement. The upper component, 斬 (simplified as 斩), means "to chop", contributing both the pronunciation and the semantic idea of forceful cutting. Thus, 錾 can refer to a metal chisel used in stonework or silversmithing, or to the verb meaning to engrave, chisel, or carve intricate designs into hard surfaces like stone or metal.
Etymology Hide
