What semantic field underlies 治?

[scherzo]

p 1263, ABC Chinese–English Comprehensive Dictionary (2003). I can't access the "slightly revised through July 2005" ed.

 

 

What semantic notions underlie all 7 definitions above? How do they semantically appertain to each other? CUHK doesn't expound.

[onedaymaybe]

Again, hopefully I've interpreted your question correctly.

 

治 can be used as a noun (N.), verb (V.) and/or is considered a bound form (B.F.) and in this dictionary:

• Definitions 1-3 are a few examples and definitions for the bound forms and not for the individual character (although they are all related and linked together by the 治 morpheme)
• Definitions 4-7 are for the 治 character itself and the various definitions they have and their parts of speech (depending on how you use it)
• Basically, from the dictionary entry, 治 seems like a character that has many definitions, but once you learn the words that contain it, it's easier to grasp an understanding of the character? To me, it's a character associated with controlling, treating or managing something that is significant and requires a lot of effort, e.g. governing a country, treating cancer, obtaining a PhD, etc.

 

1. manage; administer; rule --> 治理、治国

2. punish --> 处治

3. study; research --> 治学

4. administration (n), e.g. 治理

5. peaceful (n), e.g. 治世

6. treat (diseases); cure (v), e.g. 治疗

7. wipe out; eliminate (v), e.g. 治虫

[Moshen]

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What semantic notions underlie all 7 definitions above?

 

Are you sure this is even a reasonable question?

 

In English many words have meanings that have no relationship to one another - for instance, "bear" the animal and "bear" to put up with.  Is there reason to believe that this is never the case in Chinese?