About
The character for bluntness, traditionally written as "鈍" and simplified as "钝", is structurally composed of the metal radical indicating its inherent link to metallic objects, combined with the phonetic component "屯" which historically guided its pronunciation. Its original meaning was narrowly focused on the physical condition of tools, specifically edges that were no longer sharp, reflecting a tangible property of metal implements. Over time, the semantic range of the character expanded beyond the purely physical to encompass qualities of the mind, such as in the compound "迟钝" which denotes slowness in thought or reaction. This transition from describing a material state to representing an abstract cognitive condition demonstrates how the application of the character evolved while its essential phono-semantic structure remained consistent across different periods of use.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这把刀很钝。
他的反应有点迟钝。
用钝器敲击并不安全。
钝角大于九十度。
长期的孤独会让人感觉钝化。
他对批评有一种有益的钝感力。
疼痛感由尖锐转为迟钝。
金属表面经过处理会发生钝化反应。