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The character 萋 is structured with the grass radical 艹 positioned above the component 妻, a formation that semantically associates it with vegetation while 妻 primarily functions as a phonetic indicator. Its core meaning of luxuriant or dense plant growth is established in early Chinese literature, such as in the reduplicated form 萋萋 used to describe abundant grass in the Book of Songs. Over centuries, the character has consistently been employed in literary and poetic contexts to depict flourishing plant life, with its meaning remaining focused on this specific aspect of verdancy.
Etymology Hide
