Taxonomy of meanings for 函:　　

  • 函 xián (OC: ɡruum MC: ɦɯæm) 胡讒切 平 廣韻：【函谷關名又函書亦姓漢有豫章太守函熈又漢複姓漢末有黄門侍郎函治子覺又音含 】
  • 函 hán (OC: ɡuum MC: ɦəm) 胡男切 平 廣韻：【容也禮云席閒函丈 】

    Additional information about 函

    說文解字:

      Criteria
    • BOX

      1. Qiè 篋 refers generally to a box in pre-Han literature, and specifically to an oval bamboo basket with cover, used for saving precious things, but also books or cloth.

      2. Guì 匱 refers to a cabinet-like box with doors.

      3. Dú 櫝 refers to a small box with small doors.

      4. Xiá 匣／柙 refers to a small box for objects like maps.

      5. The most general current word for a box became xiāng 箱, but this word became current only in Han times.

      6. Hán 函 refers to a container box large enough to contain a skull.