Definitions
bird catching net; to bind; to hang
Etymology
About
罥 is a phono-semantic compound originally meaning to catch, snare, or entangle animals and objects in a trap. It combines the net radical 罒 (wǎng) on top with the phonetic 肙 (yuān, meaning 'small worm' or 'empty'). The net radical evokes the woven mesh tools used by hunters, giving the character its core trapping sense. Over time, the meaning broadened from the literal capture of game to any tangled, caught, or suspended state, like branches snagged in ropes.
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.