Definitions

large bell; hoe, spade

Etymology phono-semantic

bell

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 镈 is a phono-semantic compound, with the simplified metal radical 钅 on the left indicating its metallic nature and categorizing it among metal objects. The component 尃 on the right provides the phonetic element, guiding pronunciation. Its traditional form is 鎛, which uses the full metal radical 金 alongside the same phonetic component. Historically, 镈 has two primary meanings: it refers to a large ceremonial bell used in ancient rituals, or to an agricultural hoe for tilling soil, reflecting its dual role in both ritual and farming contexts.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Spring and Autumn (~600 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern