Definitions

dodder (Cuscuta sinensis, a parasitic vine with seeds having medicinal uses); also called 菟絲子|菟丝子

Etymology phono-semantic

plant

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character is formed with the grass radical on top, signaling a plant connection, and (rabbit) beneath as the phonetic. Its primary meaning is the dodder plant, a parasitic vine common in classical texts and traditional medicine. It also acquired a distinct regional use in the compound 於菟, an ancient word from the state of Chu meaning "tiger", a meaning entirely unrelated to its grass radical.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern