About
The traditional character "蝕" is structurally based on the components "食" (to eat) and "虫" (insect), directly illustrating the idea of being consumed by pests, which led to its early meanings of erosion or corrosion. This foundational sense of gradual degradation allowed the character to be applied metaphorically to astronomical events, such as in "日蝕" and "月蝕", where it signifies the obscuration of the sun or moon as if being eaten. The simplified form "蚀" alters the "食" component to "饣" while keeping "虫", maintaining the core concept. Over centuries, the semantic range expanded beyond physical decay to include abstract losses, such as financial deficits in terms like "蚀本", reflecting a shift from literal insect damage to broader notions of diminishment or wear.
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。