奠
diàn
to fix
to settle; a libation to the dead
ritual vessel (酋) + spread wide (大) = a solemn offering fixed in place
Ancient rituals involved placing a vessel of fermented offering (酋) on the ground with outstretched arms (大), fixing it in place as a solemn libation. The act of setting something down with ceremony gave rise to the sense of settling or establishing something permanently.
这次会议奠定了两国合作的基础。
zhè cì huì yì diàn dìng le liǎng guó hé zuò de jī chǔ。
This meeting fixed the foundation for cooperation between the two countries.
他们在墓前摆上食物，向祖先奠酒。
tā men zài mù qián bǎi shàng shí wù，xiàng zǔ xiān diàn jiǔ。
They placed food in front of the grave and offered a libation of wine to their ancestors.
Words with 奠
奠仪
diàn yí
a gift of money to the family of the deceased
奠基
diàn jī
to lay a foundation
奠基人
diàn jī rén
founder
奠基石
diàn jī shí
foundation stone; cornerstone
奠基者
diàn jī zhě
founder
奠定
diàn dìng
to establish
奠济宫
diàn jì gōng
Dianji Temple in Keelung, Taiwan
奠祭
diàn jì
pouring of wine on ground for sacrifice
奠都
diàn dū
to determine the position of the capital
奠酒
diàn jiǔ
a libation
祭奠
jì diàn
to offer sacrifices (to one's ancestors)