𬄩
wood-straightening tool; to rectify
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
a tool used to straighten bent wood; a wood-straightening jig or press
archaicSpecifically refers to ancient carpentry tools used to bend or straighten wood by applying heat and pressure. Often appears in classical texts paired with 栝 (kuò).
The yin-kuo was a tool used by ancient carpenters to straighten bent wood.
Wood must be straightened with a press before it can be made into utensils.
verb
to straighten wood using a corrective tool; to correct; to rectify; to amend
formalExtended metaphorical meaning: to correct errors in behavior or speech. Often used in formal or literary contexts.
Therefore, the use of the straightening press lies in bending the raw wood, not in causing it pain.
The faults of a gentleman are like eclipses of the sun and moon; when he errs, all see it; when he corrects himself, all look up to him—he may be straightened like bent wood.
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We need to correct our mistakes in a timely manner.