錘
weight, plumb bob, sinker, spindle
Readings
On'yomi
- スイ
Kun'yomi
- つむ
- おもり
Meaning
錘 centers on a heavy object used to pull something down or keep it steady: a weight, plumb bob, or sinker. The spindle sense is a related tool that uses a weighted piece for spinning.
Most common words using 錘
- 錘いわ
weight (of a fishing net)
- 錘すい
counter for spindles
- 紡錘ぼうすい
spindle
- 休錘きゅうすい
idle spindles
- 平衡錘へいこうすい
counterweight; counterpoise
- 筋紡錘きんぼうすい
muscle spindle
- 紡錘体ぼうすいたい
spindle
- 紡錘形ぼうすいけい
spindle-shaped
- 紡錘車ぼうすいしゃ
spindle base
- 落錘らくすい
falling weight; drop-weight (e.g. test, impact strength)
- 鉛錘えんすい
plumb bob
- 錘形つむがた
spindle-shaped; fusiform
- 錘状すいじょう
spindle shaped
- 錘鰤つむぶり
rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata); rainbow yellowtail; Spanish jack; Hawaiian salmon
Study
Etymology
錘 combines 金 (metal) with 垂, which likely contributes both sound and the idea of hanging down or suspending, as a weight hangs from a line.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is metal 金, and the right side 垂 looks like something hanging down. Picture a metal weight dangling from a string, pulling it straight like a plumb bob.
Reading mnemonic
For スイ, imagine a heavy metal weight swinging on a chain: swing -> スイ, and the weight pulls the chain taut.