Taxonomy of meanings for 第:  

  • 第 dì (OC: liils MC: dei) 特計切 去 廣韻:【次第説文本作弟韋束之次弟也今爲兄弟字又漢複姓二氏後漢書第五倫傳云齊諸田徙園陵者多故以次第爲氏有第五第八等氏特計切二十九 】
    • ORDER
      • vadV{NUM}.adNmarker of ordinal numbers
      • vadV{NUM}.adZHE3ordinal number prefix
      • vadV{NUM}(.adN)marker of ordinal number with omitted main noun
      • grammaticalised> PREFIX
      • social>RANK
        • vtoNassign relative rank
        • corresponding>DWELLING
          • nofficial permanent dwelling conferred by the emperor
      • logical>CATEGORY
        • grammaticalised: temporal>MEANWHILE
          • vadVfor the time being (DCD no. 7)
          • grammaticalised: logical>NEVERTHELESS
              • grammaticalised: hypothetical>IF
                • grammaticalised: restrictive>>>ONLY
            • SURNAMES

              Additional information about 第

              說文解字:

                Criteria
              • METHOD

                1. The most general word for method or technique is shù 術, and the professional technique here referred is typically publicly accessible.

                2. Fāng 方 refers to a professional and often esoteric and/or recondite skill or trick.

                3. Fǎ 法 is a regular rule-governed procedure governing the proper exercise of a skill.

                4. Dào 道 is a way of being as well as a way of doing things, and this Way may be either exoteric or esoteric.

                5. Duān 端 refers to a basic method or the important features of a method.

                學有次第而後大成 "When study has method, only then will it greatly succeed." ( 宋. 歐陽修 )

              • DWELLING

                1. The most current general word for a dwelling of any kind noble or ordinary is shè 舍.

                2. Zhái 宅 refers generally to the abode of anyone of any status, and the word is a polite designation for what is presumed to be a dwelling of some elegance and status.

                3. Dì 第 refers, from Han times onwards, to a dwelling conferred on someone by the emperor.

                4. Jiā 家 can occasionally come to refer to the buildings which house a clan, but examples are surprisingly rare.