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缬 (traditional 纈) is a phono-semantic compound. The radical 纟, derived from 糸 'silk', provides the semantic link to textiles and weaving; the component 颉 (traditional 頡) marks the pronunciation. Its primary meaning is the ancient craft of tie-dyeing, in which fabric is knotted or bound before dyeing to produce intricate contrasting patterns. The character also refers to the prized patterned silks and vividly dyed textiles made through this technique, a prominent term in historical accounts of fashion and textile craftsmanship.
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