Definitions
to drag; to pull; Taiwan pr. [yì]
Etymology
Pictograph of two hands pulling something.
About
The character 曳 originates from an early pictorial concept of dragging an object, which gradually condensed into its present form, a structure sometimes misinterpreted as combining elements like 日 with a curved stroke. Etymologically, it has consistently conveyed the core action of pulling or trailing, a meaning maintained throughout its historical usage. Over time, its semantic range expanded to encompass associated ideas such as swaying or prolongation, evident in classical compounds and modern terms where it describes gentle movements or extended traces, reflecting a subtle shift from purely physical dragging to include metaphorical extensions.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
树枝在风中摇曳。
烛光轻轻摇曳。
他用力拖曳重物。
车轮在泥地曳出深沟。
她的长发曳地而行。
瀑布曳出一道彩虹。
晚风中，柳条摇曳如舞蹈。
思绪被回忆曳向远方。