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The character 縻 is composed of the silk radical 糸 and the component 麻, which denotes hemp and provides phonetic association. Etymologically, it derives from the use of hemp ropes for binding, leading to an initial meaning of tethering or securing animals. Over time, its usage extended to include abstract concepts of control or restraint in administrative and literary contexts, as recorded in classical texts. The character's structure has always incorporated these two components, directly linking its form to its original semantic field.
Etymology Hide
