Definitions

lǎo basket

Etymology phono-semantic

wood

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character is a standard phono-semantic compound, combining the semantic radical , which stands for wood and timber, with the phonetic component (lǎo), which indicates its pronunciation. The wood radical points to an object made from plant materials like wood, bamboo, or branches. The primary meaning of is a large, traditional basket or container woven from willow branches, wicker, or split bamboo. Historically, agricultural workers and laborers used such baskets in their daily physical labor to carry bulky produce, soil, and other heavy materials.