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劭 is a phono-semantic compound: 力 (strength, effort) provides the meaning, while 召 supplies the phonetic value. The original sense is to encourage or exert effort. It additionally means excellent, fine, or admirable, often used in classical contexts to describe a person of high virtue or ability, as in the idiom 年高德劭 ("advanced in age and high in virtue"). The character combines the notion of strength with the phonetic element to convey the active exertion of positive qualities.
Etymology Hide
