Definitions
Humulus japonicus
Etymology
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The character 葎 is a phono-semantic compound: the top radical 艹 (cǎo), meaning 'grass', indicates a plant or weed, while the bottom element 律 (lǜ) is the phonetic component. It denotes a creeping or climbing weed, specifically Humulus scandens (Japanese hop). In botanical and classical texts, it often combines with other plant characters to form words for rough, twisting vines that climb over other vegetation. The character serves as a specialized taxonomic term rather than carrying broad or abstract meanings.
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