Definitions

to spy on

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and a remnant of represents the sound.

About

The character "睪" historically conveyed the sense of watching or spying, with its traditional form comprising the net radical "罒" positioned above the component "幸" that denotes capture or fortune, reflecting its early association with observation or detention. Its meaning later shifted to specifically denote the testicle, becoming integral in anatomical terminology like "睾丸" where it functions as the key semantic component for the male reproductive gland.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern