About
The character 铨 is a phono-semantic compound. Its left radical 钅 (jīn, metal) indicates the semantic category, while the right component 全 (quán, whole) provides the pronunciation. Its traditional form is 銓, with the full metal radical 金. The original meaning referred to weighing or measuring, explaining the metal radical as weights and scales were typically made of metal. From this concrete sense of weighing physical objects, the meaning extended to abstract evaluation and assessment, eventually becoming specifically associated with selecting and appointing government officials based on qualifications and merit.
Etymology Hide
