Definitions
ant; variant of 蟻|蚁[yǐ]
Etymology
About
The character "螘" has traditionally denoted the ant, constructed with the insect radical "虫" on the left to signal its semantic category and the component "義" on the right, which originally served a phonetic role in indicating pronunciation. Its etymology as a phono-semantic compound is evident from this structure, with "义" providing the sound in the simplified form "蚁" while the traditional form retains "義". Over time, the meaning of "螘" has remained specifically associated with ants, though in early textual contexts it could sometimes refer broadly to small insects or larvae. The character's composition has been consistent in its traditional incarnation, reflecting standard orthographic principles without significant alteration to its core components or primary signification.
Etymology Hide
