róu

𫐓

Word · Noun · VerbTraditional輮

wheel rim; knead

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 5 examples
1.

noun

outer rim or felloe of a wooden wheel

archaic

Refers specifically to the outer circumference of ancient wooden wheels, often reinforced with metal bands. This term appears in classical texts describing carriage construction.

Zhè这
liàng辆
gǔ古
chē车
de的
róu輮
bǎo保
cún存
wán完
hǎo好
 。

The outer rim of this ancient carriage is well preserved.

Gōng工
jiàng匠
zhèng正
zài在
xiū修
lǐ理
chē车
lún轮
de的
róu輮
 。

The craftsman is repairing the wheel's outer rim.

2.

verb

to bend (wood) by heating and moistening; to knead; to rub

archaic

Originally described the process of softening wood over fire to bend it into wheel rims (火輮). Later extended to mean kneading or rubbing, used interchangeably with 揉. Famous from Xunzi's 'Encouraging Learning': '輮以为轮'.

Mù木
zhí直
zhòng中
shéng绳
 ，
róu輮
yǐ以
wéi为
lún轮
 。

Wood straight as a plumb line is bent to make a wheel.

Gōng工
jiàng匠
róu輮
mù木
wéi为
lún轮
 ，
qí其
qū曲
zhòng中
guī规
 。

The craftsman bent the wood to make a wheel, and its curve matched the compass.

Show 1 more example
Róu輮
zhī之
shǐ使
zhí直
 ，
róu柔
zhī之
shǐ使
qū曲
 。

Kneading it to straighten, softening it to bend.