Taxonomy of meanings for 器:
- 器 qì (OC: khrɯds MC: kʰɯi) 去冀切 去 廣韻：【器皿史記曰舜作什器於壽丘又姓岀姓苑去冀切一 】
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TOOL
- nobject for use by someone; instrument, (agricultural) tool; appurtenance (used in dance and music, or in warfare);
- ngadgetgadget, artefact
- nfigurative(mere) tool; (abstract) instrument>method
- viactact as a tool
- vtoNattitudinaltreat as a tool only (not as an independent agent)
- culinary>VESSEL
- nvessel of any kind; also: eating utensils, the plates and pots food is served or kept in
- military>WEAPON
- nnonreferentialweapons
- generalised>BOOTY
- nmbooty (of a robber, in the formof stolen vessels) ???
- ritual>COFFIN
- ncoffin
- related action>USE
- organic>ORGAN
- generalised>INNARDS
- generalised>BODY
- moral tool>TALENT
- nabdispositionrange of talents
- vtoNputativeregard as talented, regard somebody as having a high capacity
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TOOL
Additional information about 器
說文解字: 【器】，皿也。象器之口，犬，所以守之。 【去冀切】
- Criteria
- COFFIN
1. The current general word for the coffin is guān 棺, but this term also refers specifically to the inner coffin as opposed to what is translated as "outer coffin", the guǒ 槨. Coffins were generally made of wood and often lacquered; in Han times, stone coffins also came to use.
2. Jiù 柩 refers specifically to a coffin which contains a dead body.
3. Guǒ 槨 refers to the often very large structure which is put arround the inner coffin guān 棺. Note that the outer coffin is much more than an outer slightly larger wooden box. See illustration.
4. Chèn 櫬 refers specifically to the inner coffin, especially when presented as symbol of abject surrender (indicating to the person one surrenders to that one is willing to be put to death and put into this coffin). However, the term is also currently used to refer in general to an inner coffin in ZUO.
5. Bì 椑 refers to a ritual coffin made for the ruler on his accession to the throne and lacquered afresh every year; also used as a dignified general term for a coffin. In Tang times this custom was discontinued.
6. Mù 木 "wood, timber" is occasionally used by synecdoche to refer to a coffin.
7. Qì 器 can also refer to the coffin (from Han at least down to Six Dynasties times). Coffins for an emperor can then be called bì qì 秘器, and those for officials guān qì 棺器.
- VESSEL
1. The general word for vessels of any kind is qì 器.
2. Jù 具 refers primarily to containers for food, but by extension the word can refer to any container.
3. Mǐng 皿 refers to a large container for food ready for consumption.
- CHARIOT
1. The current word for a military chariot is shèng 乘 usually drawn by four horses.
2. Róng 戎 is a old general word for chariots which was already rare by Warring States times.
3. Cháo chē 轈車 refers to a high observation chariot.
4. Qīng chē 輕車 refers to a highly mobile light and quick chariot.
5. Zī zhòng 輜重 refers to military vehicles used to transport weapons and supplies.
6. Fén yūn/wēn 轒榡 refers to a four-wheel covered roofed chariot with the baldachin made of ox hide.
For illustrations of these see 中國古代兵器圖冊 (Huang Jingui)
- TOOL
1. The general word for a tool for use of any kind is qì 器, but the primary meaning of the word remains "container, vessel". (For complex mechanical tools see CONTRAPTION.)
- Word relations
- Inconsist: (TOOL)君子/GENTLEMAN
Jūn zǐ 君子 can focus on nobility of birth and social status. - Epithet: (WEAPON)利/SHARP
The most general current word for sharpness both of a point and of a blade is lì 利. - Epithet: (VESSEL)神/SUPERNATURAL
The general and very common term referring to whatever is supernatural or divine in any way, and thus superior to what is ordinarily human or natural, is shén 神. - Assoc: (TOOL)械/MACHINE
The general term for any mechanical device, especially any such device used in weaponry, is xiè 械. - Assoc: (TOOL)用/TOOL