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The character 菟, structurally composed of the grass radical 艹 over 兔 (rabbit), etymologically originates as a name for the dodder plant, 菟丝子, with 兔 likely serving as a phonetic element. While its primary meaning remains botanical, it historically acquired an unrelated zoomorphic sense through the compound 於菟, an ancient term for tiger borrowed from dialect. This dual usage reflects a shift from a purely plant-based reference to include an archaic animal term, though the character's structure continues to emphasize its herbal associations through the grass radical.
Etymology Hide
