fishy stench; meat; barbarian invaders
Meanings
3 senses · 9 examplesnoun
a rank, fishy and muttony stench; metaphor for foul, corrupt or filthy things
literaryLiterary term often used in classical contexts to describe offensive odors or metaphorically to describe morally repugnant people or things.
The air was filled with a fishy, muttony stench.
A gentleman keeps far from such filth to maintain a pure body.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
This stench makes people want to vomit.
noun
meat; animal flesh (in Buddhist or vegetarian contexts)
formalUsed in religious or ascetic contexts to refer to meat and fish, which are avoided by monks and strict vegetarians. Often appears in the phrase 不近腥膻.
Monks do not approach meat and fish, eating only vegetarian food.
He strictly observes the precepts, not touching meat for many years.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
The temple's vegetarian meals naturally contain no meat or fish.
noun
invading foreign enemies (carrying connotations of hatred and contempt)
literaryUsed in historical or literary contexts to describe barbarian invaders with strong negative sentiment. Often appears in patriotic or militaristic literature calling for the expulsion of foreign occupiers.
The general led the army to sweep away the barbarian invaders and recover lost territory.
The scholars and people of the Central Plains could not endure the chaos caused by the invaders, and migrated south in large numbers.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Expel the barbarian invaders, return our rivers and mountains!