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缛 (traditional 縟) is a phono-semantic compound: the silk radical 纟 (糸) points to textiles and ornamental fabrics, while 辱 supplies the sound. Originally it described the intricate, colorful patterns of finely woven silk garments, the kind requiring painstaking craftsmanship. Over time, this notion of dense ornamentation generalized to anything excessively detailed or overwrought, especially in ceremonial rites, formal procedures, or prose style. In modern usage, it often bears a faintly negative connotation, signifying tedious, redundant rules or rituals that favor elaborate display over practical function.
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