Definition
桁 (héng) is a rare character with two distinct modern senses. Historically it refers to the cangue, a wooden punishment device. In modern Chinese, it is more commonly seen in architecture and engineering compounds like 桁架 (truss) and 桁条 (purlin). Its use is limited to formal or technical contexts.
char.
cangue (a wooden punishment device in ancient China)purlinbeam (in architecture, e.g. 桁架 truss, 桁条 purlin)
Examples
- 桁。Gǔdài guānfǔ yòng héng lái chéngfá fànrén.In ancient times, the government used the cangue to punish criminals.
- 桁。Zhè zuò qiáo de jiégòu shǐyòng le gāng héng jià.The structure of this bridge uses steel trusses.
- 桁。Tā zài jiànzhùxué zhōng xué dào le shénme shì héng tiáo.In architecture, he learned what a purlin is.
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