“爾雅”，“煽，熾也;熾，盛也”解

Dixun 遞訓   ("consecutive definition") refers to a traditional lexicographic device such that a series of synonyms are defined one after another, in the form of "A means B; B means C". The three words shan 煽, chi 熾 and sheng 盛, for instance, are defined as such in the Erya 爾雅. We examine the usage of the three words in Pre-Qin classics, and discover that shan only carries a negative sense, whereas chi and sheng are mostly used positively, although the latter two may occasionally be found with a negative connotation. We may conclude that the negative character of shan is very strong, that of chi is subtle, and that of sheng absent, despite the latter has appeared in negative context. Sheng has a closer relation with chi, but less so with shan. The dixun illustrates this semantic relationship.