<p>点(點), the original meaning is a small black spot. --> create a small spot --> use the pointed edge to touch something --> ignite by touching the wick.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-06T15:32:11.633Z
I knew the original meaning of 点, but I didn't associeted it by extension with a wick. Is your interpretation based on some sources or on your own thesis? In the latter case, then why not therefore associete the black spot directly with the wick? Black maybe because when it burn it became black, or maybe because imbued with some derivatives of hydrocarbons to facilitate combustion (I don't know if this is historically plausubile). All this elaboration was because I find the connection between the last two steps of your thesis a bit farfetched.
Marvoch
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-10T17:40:52.517Z
Deng Siyi is correct.  The prototypical meaning of 點 is to ignite something using a small object burning at one end, like one makes a dot when writing a character or checking something on a list.
wpt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-05T23:27:03.150Z
2015-10-05T23:27:03.150Z
Siyi Deng
<p>These are the only character's acceptations I really can't relate to, does anyone know why it's used with such meanings? </p>

<meaning-in-context><etymology>
Why does 点 mean "to light\to ignite" in certain compounds (such as in 点燃\点火\点灯)?
# Why does 点 mean "to light\to ignite" in certain compounds (such as in 点燃\点火\点灯)?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-10-05)

These are the only character's acceptations I really can't relate to, does anyone know why it's used with such meanings?

**Tags:** meaning-in-context, etymology


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-10-05. Score: 0 | Accepted answer

点(點), the original meaning is a small black spot. --> create a small spot --> use the pointed edge to touch something --> ignite by touching the wick.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I knew the original meaning of 点, but I didn't associeted it by extension with a wick. Is your interpretation based on some sources or on your own thesis? In the latter case, then why not therefore associete the black spot directly with the wick? Black maybe because when it burn it became black, or maybe because imbued with some derivatives of hydrocarbons to facilitate combustion (I don't know if this is historically plausubile). All this elaboration was because I find the connection between the last two steps of your thesis a bit farfetched.  
> **username_2**: username_1 username_1 is correct.  The prototypical meaning of 點 is to ignite something using a small object burning at one end, like one makes a dot when writing a character or checking something on a list.  

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