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媪 (traditional 媼) is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic radical 女 on the left signifies 'woman', and the phonetic component 昷 (also written 𥁕) on the right gives the sound. The character originally referred to an elderly woman or a mother, conveying a sense of respect and seniority. In classical literature, its use broadened to serve as a general term of address for older women, but the primary meaning of 'old woman' has persisted throughout its history.
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