About
孀 is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic radical 女 ('woman') places it in the realm of women, and the phonetic 霜 ('frost') gives the reading shuāng. It was coined to denote a widow, a woman whose husband has died, and it retains this precise meaning without notable extended senses. The frost element may also subtly hint at the cold isolation of widowhood, though its primary role is to supply the sound.
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.