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The character 铡 (traditional 鍘) is a phono-semantic compound: the metal radical 钅 (金) indicates the blade's material, and the phonetic component 则 (則) provides the pronunciation, its 刂 'knife' element also hints at the cutting function. Originally it named a large hinged lever-knife used to chop fodder, hay, or straw. Over time, the meaning extended to a verb for cutting or chopping with such a tool, typically with a downward pressing motion, and in historical judicial contexts it referred to an ancient instrument of execution.
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