Definitions

ruǎn (archaic) to shorten

Etymology

About

The character 緛 is formed from the semantic component 糸, denoting silk, and the phonetic component 耎. In its traditional form, the character consistently employs these elements. Its original meaning concerned soft or fine silk, but later usage extended the sense to include shortening or contracting, likely through association with the pliable qualities of silk.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern