Definitions

thoroughfare

Etymology phono-semantic

step

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 衢, meaning a thoroughfare or major road, structurally combines the radical 行, which denotes a road or passage, with the component 瞿, primarily serving as a phonetic element. Its etymology reflects the concept of a road that branches into multiple directions, such as an intersection or main avenue. While the core meaning of a significant roadway has been consistent, the character's application has specifically referred to important highways and crossroads in both classical and modern usage.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern