About
The character 蚀 (shí) is a phono-semantic compound. Its simplified form pairs the insect radical 虫 (chóng) on the left with the component 饣 (shí) on the right, which indicates the pronunciation and relates to food. In the traditional form 蝕, the insect radical is combined with the full character 食 (shí), meaning "food" or "to eat", providing both a phonetic clue and a clear semantic link. The original concept depicts insects gradually consuming leaves, wood, or crops, representing a process of slow destruction. This core idea extends to the general meaning of erosion, corrosion, or the gradual wearing away of materials like metal or stone. It is also used astronomically to describe solar and lunar eclipses, conceptualizing these events as a celestial body being slowly consumed.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
酸雨会腐蚀建筑物。
海风侵蚀着古老的岩石。
这块金属已经严重锈蚀了。
流水日夜不停地侵蚀着河岸。
月蚀是一种有趣的天文现象。
经济危机导致了资本的严重蚀耗。
这些壁画正受到湿气的缓慢剥蚀。
投资者的本金在通货膨胀中逐渐被蚀损。