Definitions

glistening plumage of birds

Etymology

About

The character is a phono-semantic compound: the upper component (feathers, wings) denotes the semantic category, while the lower component hints at the pronunciation. As an adjective, it describes the bright, glossy white of a bird's plumage, most notably the pristine feathers of cranes in classical Chinese poetry. Unlike general color terms, 's usage has remained highly limited, confined to literary depictions of birds and never extending to everyday references to white or shiny things.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern