About
The character 蠲 belongs to the 虫 radical, linking it to insects or worms. It is a phono-semantic compound: the right component 蜀 provides the sound and originally referred to a caterpillar. Initially, 蠲 was a noun for a specific millipede or small insect. Later, its meaning shifted from entomology to a verb meaning to cleanse, purify, remit, or completely exempt from taxes and obligations. This abstract sense became dominant, especially in legal and administrative texts on tax and debt forgiveness.
Etymology Hide
