About
The character 枭, traditionally written as 梟, structurally combines the component for tree (木) with that for bird (鸟 in its simplified form, 鳥 in traditional), reflecting an etymological basis in the image of an owl perched on a tree. Originally denoting the owl itself, a bird recognized for its nocturnal predation, the character's meaning broadened over time to describe human traits of fierceness, cunning, and dominance, evident in historical and literary compounds such as 枭雄 for a formidable leader or 枭首 referring to a form of capital punishment. This semantic expansion from a zoological reference to a metaphorical attribute occurred through prolonged use, while the character's orthography maintained the core elements of tree and bird across both script variants.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
那只枭站在树枝上。
据说枭是一种夜行性鸟类。
他在游戏里选择了一个叫"枭"的角色。
历史上，曹操常被称为一代枭雄。
警方展开行动，决心枭灭那个犯罪团伙。
这位将军的枭悍作风让敌人闻风丧胆。
在乱世中，他凭借计谋与实力，终成一代枭雄。
这幅古画描绘了枭首示众的残酷场面。