nhài quạt

Definition

Noun (Medical Term):
- Leucoma (or Leukoma): A dense, white, opaque scar that forms on the cornea of the eye, typically as a result of injury or infection. It appears as a white spot or cloudiness in the normally clear, black part (pupil/iris) of the eye.
Noun (Traditional Object Part):
- Fan Rivet (or Fan Boss): A small, usually circular metal piece that secures the two ends of the pivot pin (the "suốt") in a traditional paper or bamboo fan, holding the fan's ribs together at the base.

Usage Examples

Noun (Medical):
- Sau khi bị viêm giác mạc nặng, mắt anh ấy đã hình thành một vết nhài quạt. (After severe keratitis, a leucoma formed in his eye.)
- Vết nhài quạt có thể gây giảm thị lực. (A leukoma can cause reduced vision.)
Noun (Object Part):
- Chiếc quạt cổ này có nhài quạt bằng đồng rất tinh xảo. (This antique fan has a very elaborate brass fan rivet.)
- Nếu nhài quạt bị lỏng, các nan quạt sẽ không còn giữ được hình dáng. (If the fan boss is loose, the fan ribs will not hold their shape.)

Advanced Usage

The medical term "nhài quạt" is a descriptive folk name in Vietnamese, likening the appearance of the corneal scar to the white, round rivet ("nhài") of a fan ("quạt"). In modern clinical contexts, the Latin-derived terms "leucoma" or "corneal opacity" are more standard.

Variants and Related Words

Đốm trắng ở mắt / Vết trắng ở mắt: A white spot in the eye (a more general, non-technical description that can refer to a leucoma).
Sẹo giác mạc: Corneal scar (the direct translation of the medical condition).
Suốt quạt: The pivot pin or axle of a fan, which the "nhài quạt" secures.

Synonyms

Notes on Different Meanings

The two primary meanings of "nhài quạt" are entirely distinct, belonging to separate semantic fields (medicine vs. traditional handicrafts). Context is crucial for correct interpretation. The medical meaning is derived metaphorically from the object's appearance.