About
The character 醴 is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic radical 酉 (wine vessel) places it in the category of fermented beverages, while 豊 provides its pronunciation. It denotes sweet wine, sweet liquor, or a sweet spring. Originally, it named a specific newly fermented, low-alcohol sweet wine from traditional brewing. Later, in literary contexts, it broadened to describe any sweet, high-quality spring water with an appealing, refreshing taste similar to that wine.
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