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The character "鏖" is structured with the component "鹿" denoting deer placed above "金" indicating metal, and its etymology points to an association with the slaughter of deer using metal weapons, which informed its initial meaning of fierce combat or carnage. Over time, this sense extended to describe any prolonged and exhausting battle, as evidenced in compounds like "鏖战" for a hard-fought engagement, reflecting a semantic shift from a specific act of violence to a broader expression of arduous struggle.
Etymology Hide
