About
The character 镘, the simplified form of traditional 鏝, is a phono-semantic compound: the radical 钅 'metal' on the left indicates the semantic category, and the phonetic component 曼 is on the right. Etymologically, it was developed to name a metal trowel used in masonry for applying and smoothing plaster or cement. Over time, it also acquired a verbal sense describing the action of plastering or smearing with such a tool, thereby expanding from the object to the activity it performs.
Etymology Hide
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.