tróc long
Definition
- Verb (archaic):
- To search for a dragon vein: Refers specifically to the historical practice of a geomancer (thầy địa lý) traveling to locate and identify auspicious "dragon veins" (long mạch) or beneficial earth energy lines in the landscape, according to traditional geomancy (phong thủy).
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Ông thầy địa lý đang tróc long để tìm đất đặt mộ. (The geomancer is searching for a dragon vein to find land for a grave.)
- Công việc của họ ngày xưa thường là tróc long. (Their work in the old days was often to search for dragon veins.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is marked as archaic (cũ) and is primarily encountered in historical texts or discussions of traditional Vietnamese geomancy practices. It is not used in modern, everyday language.
Variants and Related Words
- Tróc (v, archaic): to peel off, to detach; in some compound forms, it can imply searching or tracing.
- Long mạch (n): dragon vein; the terrestrial energy line central to geomancy.
- Thầy địa lý (n): geomancer, feng shui master.
Synonyms
- To locate a dragon vein: The most direct conceptual synonym in English, describing the specific action.
- To survey geomancy sites: A more general, descriptive synonym for the practice.
Notes on Usage
- The phrase "tróc long" is a fixed, archaic term. It should not be broken down or interpreted using the modern meanings of its components. It refers exclusively to the specialized geomantic activity.