镳 (biāo) - Bit, horse bit & to part, to separate

镳Tone 1

biāo ｜ 20 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

镳 · biāo

Bit, horse bit;

to part, to separate;

a metal ornament on a bridle.

Bit, horse bitto part, to separatea metal ornament on a bridle.

Usage highlights

Horse bitTo part waysBridle ornamentsNeck and neck competitionRacing togetherTo diverge

Synonyms

  • 衔— Bit, bridle (more common term for horse bit)
  • 勒— Bridle, rein

Antonyms

  • 合— Combine, unite (antonym to the parting sense)
  • 聚— Gather, assemble

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The horse's bit was made of iron (马镳).
  • They parted ways at the crossroads (分镳).
  • The bridle decorations were ornate (銮镳).
  • They competed neck and neck in the race (并驾齐镳).

Collocations

  • Horse bit(马镳)
  • To part ways(分镳)
  • Bridle ornaments(銮镳)
  • Neck and neck competition(齐镳)
  • Racing together(并镳)
  • To diverge(联镳)

Idioms

  • To part company and go different ways(分道扬镳)
  • Racing side by side(并驾齐镳)
  • To ride together(联镳)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to the metal bit in a horse's mouth, an important component of ancient horse tack.
  • Extended meaning of 'parting' comes from the image of horses going in different directions.
  • Used metaphorically for separation or divergence in paths, careers, or opinions.
  • Appears in classical literature describing travel, journeys, and partings.

FAQ