Definitions

zēng arrow with a streamer

Etymology

About

The character "矰" incorporates the semantic component "矢", relating to arrows, and the phonetic component "曾", indicating its pronunciation, to form a term for a specialized arrow with an attached silk cord used for retrieval in hunting. Its meaning has consistently referred to this specific implement, and over time, the term's usage has narrowed to historical or classical contexts without expanding into broader semantic applications.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze 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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern