About
缁 (zī), traditional form 緇, is a phono-semantic compound that combines the silk radical 纟 (traditional 糸) with the phonetic 甾 (zī). The silk radical points to the original meaning: black silk fabric or garments of dark material. The phonetic 甾, historically a pictograph of a basket, supplies the pronunciation. Over time, the meaning broadened from black silk to the color black in general, and became closely associated with the dark robes of Buddhist monks, giving rise to the term 缁衣 ("black robes") for monks or the clergy.
Etymology Hide
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.