About
The character 圉 is structurally composed of the outer enclosure radical 囗 surrounding the component 幸, which in this context represents a shackled person or criminal. This combination clearly denotes its original meaning of a prison or jail, and by extension, the act of imprisoning. Over time, its application narrowed specifically to the sphere of horse husbandry, where it came to mean a horse stable or a frontier post for keeping horses, and also referred to the official in charge of such stables, the stableman or groom. The character’s form, both traditional and simplified, remains 圉.
Etymology Hide
