Definitions
hempen band worn on the head or waist by a mourner
Etymology
About
The character "绖", with its traditional form "絰", is a phono-semantic compound consisting of the silk radical "纟" or "糸" and the phonetic component "至", which together originally denoted a hemp belt or cord worn as part of mourning attire in ancient Chinese funeral rituals. Its etymology directly links the character to textile items used in ceremonial contexts, and the structural composition has consistently reflected this association with ritual garments. The meaning of the character has been specifically tied to such mourning apparel throughout its documented use, appearing in classical texts with this specialized reference without broadening into other semantic areas.