About
A phono-semantic compound, 椹 uses the wood radical 木 on the left to anchor its meaning in the semantic field of wood or trees. The right component 甚 (shèn) provides the pronunciation. Its original meaning is a heavy wooden chopping block or executioner's block, a solid piece of timber used for cutting or striking. The character also functions as an alternate form for 葸 (shèn), meaning the mulberry fruit, so it can refer to either a wooden tool or a botanical product depending on context.