Definitions
surname Hou; place name
Etymology
About
The character "郈" is structured as a phono-semantic compound, combining the phonetic component "后" with the semantic radical "邑", which denotes a settlement or administrative district. It originally functioned as a toponym for a specific city in the ancient state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period. From this geographical reference, the character subsequently acquired use as a surname for lineages associated with that place, with its core meaning remaining tied to these origins without substantial alteration.
Etymology Hide
