掌印

zhǎngyìn

verb #37,639

Meanings

1 to hold the seal (i.e. wield official authority)
2 to be in charge
3 (noun) palm print

Characters

palm; hold; control

Examples

明朝由太监掌印的现象很普遍。

Míngcháo yóu tàijiàn zhǎngyìn de xiànxiàng hěn pǔbiàn.

It was common in the Ming dynasty for eunuchs to hold the seal of authority.

他的掌印留在了门上。

Tā de zhǎngyìn liú zài le mén shàng.

His palm print was left on the door.

Tips

history

In imperial China the official seal (印) was the source of administrative power: whoever 掌印 ('held the seal') ran the office. The Ming-dynasty 司礼监掌印太监 (Director of Ceremonial holding the seal) was effectively prime minister, since he stamped imperial decrees. The literal 'palm print' meaning is modern.

Stroke Order

掌 zhǎng

印 yìn