Definitions
lowland swamp
Etymology
About
The character 窊 is a phono-semantic compound. The semantic radical 穴, meaning "cave" or "cavity", sits at the top. Below it, the component 瓜, meaning "melon", provides the phonetic element, which historically led to the modern pronunciation "wā". The radical 穴 defines the core meaning: a depression in the ground, a low-lying area, or a hollow that can collect water. As a noun or adjective describing sunken topography, it can also appear in classical texts referring to uneven or scooped-out surfaces on objects, conveying a sense of being lower than the surrounding area.
Etymology Hide
