About
The character 戾 is structured with the components 户 and 犬, depicting a dog at a door to suggest bending or deviation, which formed its etymological basis. Initially, the character conveyed meanings such as "to arrive" or "to bend" in classical texts. Over time, its semantic focus shifted toward negative attributes like perversity, violence, and severity, leading to its modern associations with cruelty or ferocity. The traditional form of 戾 incorporates these same components without alteration.
Etymology Hide
