About
The ancient character 臿 is composed of 午 (pestle) and 臼 (mortar), showing grain being ground to separate it from the husk. This is the original form of 插. Over time, the meaning shifted from the grinding tool to the action of inserting, a sense now carried by 插, which adds the hand radical 扌 to mark the physical action, while 臿 remains the root form.
Etymology Hide
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.