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臊 is a phonosemantic compound: the flesh radical ⺼ (月) marks it as relating to the body or physical states, while 喿 supplies the sound "sao". In one tone, it denotes foul, rank odors, especially the smell of urine, raw meat, or the musky scent of certain animals. In another tone, it shifts to mean shame or embarrassment, as in 害臊 (hàisào). The shared flesh radical thus connects a physical stench with a bodily emotional reaction.
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