Definition

1. Verb:
   • To scarify; to perform a traditional medical procedure using a sharp object (like a thorn, needle, or coin edge) to prick the skin and extract a small amount of blood. This is a folk remedy believed to relieve certain ailments by releasing "bad blood" or wind.
   • To extract (something like a splinter) with a pointed tool.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Bà tôi thường lể bằng mảnh sành để chữa cảm. (My grandmother often scarifies using a piece of pottery to treat a cold.)
  • Anh ấy lể cái gai ở tay ra. (He extracted the thorn from his hand.)
  • Phương pháp lể này cần được thực hiện cẩn thận. (This scarification method needs to be performed carefully.)

Advanced Usage

• "lể giác" (a compound term): Refers specifically to the traditional practice of "cup scraping" or "coining" (giác hơi), where the skin is first scratched or scarified before applying a cup.
  • Sau khi lể giác, da sẽ đỏ lên một chút. (After scarifying for cupping, the skin will become slightly red.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhể (verb): A more common synonym, especially in the Northern dialect, meaning to pick or extract something small with a pointed tip (e.g., a splinter, blackhead).
  • Nhể cái dằm (To pick out a splinter).

Synonyms

• Trích máu: To let blood (a more clinical term).
• Nặn (mụn, nhọt): To squeeze (a pimple, boil) – related but not identical, as it doesn't necessarily involve a tool.
• Gắp ra: To pick/tweeze out.

Notes on Meaning

• Primary Meaning: The core meaning of "lể" is the act of using a sharp, often non-sterile, object for a minor medical procedure. It is deeply associated with traditional Vietnamese folk medicine.
• Contextual Meaning: The action is almost always performed on the body (skin) for therapeutic purposes or to remove a foreign object embedded in the skin. It is not used for general actions like "to pick" a flower.

verb

1. to scarify; to extract with a thorn