Radical

the usual name for that part of a Chinese character which is used as a key or cla ifier to fix its place in the Chinese dictionary. It often indicates part of the meaning of the character. Thus the presence of f ni 'sick,' shows in what part of the dictionary to look for the character containing it, and also indicates that the character has something to do with disease. Similarly with such radicals as IMG:p481_5.png:Chinese characters rhin, metal, or it» hsin, heart. In Dutchman. It lies south of Korea, a large island with no harbours.