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镝 (traditional form: 鏑) is a phono-semantic compound character with two distinct pronunciations and meanings depending on context. Its semantic component is the metal radical 钅 (jīn), which denotes metallic objects; the traditional character uses the full form 金 instead. The phonetic component is 啇 (dí), placed on the right side. Historically, the character was pronounced dí and referred exclusively to the sharp metal point of an arrow or the tip of a spear used in warfare. Later, in modern chemistry, it was given the reading dī and repurposed to name the element dysprosium. This choice was motivated by the element's phonetic sound and the existing metal radical, making it a fitting representation.
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