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铩 combines the metal radical 钅 (金 in traditional 鎩) with 杀, suggesting a metal weapon used for killing. Originally a noun, it referred to a long infantry spear with a metal blade. Over time, it shifted to a verb meaning to strike down, clip, or disable, most memorably in an idiom about a bird with clipped wings, a metaphor for a crushing defeat or severe setback.
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