蚀 shí to nibble at
to nibble at; to erode; an eclipse
How to remember 蚀: 饣 food + 虫 insect = to nibble at. The food in Grandma's pantry is safe until a tiny insect moves in and begins to nibble at the biscuits.
Component breakdown
蚀 = 饣 food + 虫 insect
- 饣 food
- 虫 insect
The food in Grandma's pantry is safe until a tiny insect moves in and begins to nibble at the biscuits.
How it is used
- 'To erode/eat away' - 腐蚀 (fǔshí) to corrode (chemically, or figuratively to corrupt a person), 侵蚀 (qīnshí) to erode gradually (soil, coastline, or values).
- Also 亏蚀 / 蚀本 (shíběn) to lose one's capital in business. Original sense is an eclipse (日蚀).