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The character 铣 (xǐ/xiǎn), traditional form 銑, is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic radical 钅 (from 金) indicates a metal or metallic process, while 先 (xiān) provides the phonetic component. Historically, it described the lustrous appearance of polished metal or cast iron. In modern usage, its meaning has shifted entirely to the machining process of milling, functioning as a verb for cutting metal with a rotary tool or as a noun in compounds like 铣床 (xǐchuáng), meaning milling machine.
Etymology Hide
