📖 Meaning
To extend and apply the principle of one thing to similar or analogous things. It describes the method of extrapolating from a single case to a whole category of related matters, broadening understanding through logical association.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the commentary 系辞上 (Appended Remarks) in the Book of Changes (易经), where the original text reads '引而伸之，触类而长之' — 'draw it out and extend it, grow it by touching upon analogous categories.' This describes how the sages extrapolated from fundamental principles to comprehend all phenomena. The Qing-dynasty scholar 江藩 employed the expression in his work 汉学师承记, praising the scholar 惠周惕 for thirty years of deep study before achieving mastery through such analogical extension.
💡 Example Usage
他治学善于引伸触类，常由一事之理推及同类问题。
In his scholarship he excels at extending principles by analogy, often generalizing from one matter's reasoning to similar problems.
🏷️ Category
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🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 引伸触类
- Pinyin: yǐn shēn chù lèi
- Literal Translation: extend, stretch, touch, category
- Category: Logic
- Characters: 4