Definitions
surname Xian
Etymology phono-semantic
Phonetic:
先
About
The character "冼" is structurally composed of the radical "冫" and the phonetic component "先", with its etymology indicating it was originally a variant of the character "洗" associated with washing. It early specialized as a surname derived from ancient tribal names in southern China, and its meaning solidified solely in that anthroponymic role without returning to broader semantic functions. The character's form has consistently featured the "冫" and "先" components throughout its recorded history.