泌

bì, mì

必 + 氵

Definitions

bì used in 泌陽|泌阳[bì yáng] (the name of a place in Henan)

mì (bound form) to secrete

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 必 represents the sound.

Semantic: 氵 Phonetic: 必

About

泌 (pronounced mì or bì) is a phono-semantic compound that pairs the water radical 氵 (shuǐ) with the phonetic 必 (bì). The radical places it in the domain of liquids; the component 必 supplies the sound. In classical usage, the character described a gentle, steady flow of water, as from a spring. With the rise of scientific vocabulary, it specialized into the biological meaning of secretion, the process by which glands produce and release fluids. This original image of water flow has largely given way to the modern medical application; today, 泌 appears almost exclusively in physiological contexts, such as endocrine secretions and other bodily fluids.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

皮肤分泌汗液。

Pífū fēnmì hànyè.

The skin secretes sweat.

唾液腺分泌唾液。

Tuòyèxiàn fēnmì tuòyè.

The salivary glands secrete saliva.

泌尿系统很重要。

Mìniào xìtǒng hěn zhòngyào.

The urinary system is very important.

内分泌调节身体。

Nèifēnmì tiáojié shēntǐ.

The endocrine system regulates the body.

医生检查他的泌尿系统。

Yīshēng jiǎnchá tā de mìniào xìtǒng.

The doctor examined his urinary system.

这种激素由垂体分泌。

Zhè zhǒng jīsù yóu chuítǐ fēnmì.

This hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland.

研究内分泌疾病需要专业知识。

Yánjiū nèifēnmì jíbìng xūyào zhuānyè zhīshì.

Studying endocrine diseases requires professional knowledge.

泌乳过程受多种激素调控。

Mìrǔ guòchéng shòu duō zhǒng jīsù tiáokòng.

The lactation process is regulated by multiple hormones.

Related Characters

Component: 必

Component: 氵

泌