一切經音義 11.90

11.90

Deficient and reduced: the upper character has the fanqie *quan* + *yue*. The *Shenglei* writes it with 垂 as 𡙇. The *Shuowen* [glosses 缺 under an earthen vessel entry]: an earthenware vessel with a narrow mouth, pronounced *e* + *geng*. The standard graph for 𡙇 in the *Shuowen* is written as 缺. Guo Pu's commentary on the *Erya* states: 'A *fou* (缶) basin.' The *Cang Jie pian* states: '缺 (*que*) means damaged (*gu*),' pronounced *qu* + *zhui*. Gu Yewang states: '缺 means a flaw or blemish.' The *Shuowen* states: 'A broken vessel.' It has the earthenware radical (缶) and a reduced form of 夬 as its phonetic component. The lower character 減 has two readings, both in the rising tone. It has the water radical (水) and 咸 as its component; the graphic form is of one kind, but the pronunciation and gloss have distinct meanings according to usage. Its primary reading is *geng* + *zhan*. The *Kaosheng* states: 'To diminish something so that it becomes less is called 減 (*jian*).' The *Shuowen* states: '減 means to diminish.' It is also pronounced with the fanqie *xian* + *an* or *ya* + *jian*. The character dictionary states: 'When something naturally wears away and falls short, it is called 減.' The *Jixun* states: '減 means to wear away and consume.' The character dictionary says: 'To lack and sink into ruin.' Here we adopt this latter reading.