About
The character 噤 is structured as a phono-semantic compound with the mouth radical 口 on the left and the component 禁 on the right, where 口 indicates its association with speech or the mouth, and 禁, meaning "to prohibit", supplies both phonetic and semantic elements. This composition reflects an etymology centered on restraining speech, leading to its core meaning of maintaining silence or being unable to speak. Over time, its application narrowed from general quietness to specific instances of involuntary silence caused by factors like cold or fear, observable in terms such as 寒噤 (a shiver) and 噤若寒蝉 (silent as a winter cicada), while its written form has remained consistent.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
大家请噤声。
他突然噤声不语。
一阵冷风让他打寒噤。
在恐怖片中，她吓得直打寒噤。
老师严厉的目光使学生们立刻噤声。
由于气氛紧张，所有人都噤声等待结果。
他本想发言，但看到众人的表情后便噤声了。
在法庭上，证人被警告后不得不噤声，以免影响审判。