About
瞍 is a phono-semantic compound: 目 (eye) provides the meaning, while 叟 (old man) gives the pronunciation and hints at the dimming eyesight of age. Historically, it denoted blindness in which the pupils remain outwardly intact though sight is lost. Because people with this impairment often served as court musicians or string players in ancient China, the character commonly appears in classical texts as a noun for "blind musician", not just an adjective for blindness.
Etymology Hide
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.