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The character 鞣 is a phono-semantic compound, combining the left-side semantic radical 革 (leather or hides) with the right-side phonetic component 柔 (soft). This structure directly reflects its meaning: the process of tanning leather to make raw hides soft, durable, and suitable for crafting. The character, which describes treating hides with agents to alter their protein structure, is used specifically in industrial, craft, and chemical contexts related to leather production.
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