TSUMUGU · TOCFL B2 (est.) · 字
盾
ㄉㄨㄣˋ · dùn
noun — shield
字源 FORM — what the parts do
盾形a shield drawn whole, an eye (目) sheltered behind the boss
The old graph draws a shield seen edge-on: the curved guard above, an eye (目) tucked behind it, safe. A thing held up to cover the body. Paired against the spear 矛, it gives the word for contradiction: 矛盾, what cannot both stand.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
弧形的擋板舉起來，一隻眼（目）躲在後面，箭來了也不怕。
The curved guard goes up; an eye (目) hides behind it, safe though the arrows come.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)盾牌— shield常用
→矛盾— contradiction — spear against shield常用
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension
關 · Related
矛máoits battlefield partner — 矛 is the spear that stabs, the shield that blocks遁dùntakes for its sound — 遁 (to flee) adds the road 辶; is the bare shield