About
赇 is a phono-semantic compound character with 贝 (bèi, shell, signifying wealth) on the left and 求 (qiú, to beseech) on the right, which gives the pronunciation. The traditional form is 賕, written with the full shell radical 貝. The character has a narrow, pejorative meaning: it denotes the act of offering or receiving a bribe, illicit money or goods given for corrupt favors. The combination of a wealth radical and a phonetic that means "to request" logically yields the sense of an improper solicitation or payment, keeping the character firmly within the semantic field of bribery and corruption.
Etymology Hide
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.