Definitions
short-tailed bird
Etymology
Pictograph of a bird.
About
The character 隹 originated as a pictogram depicting a short-tailed bird, distinguishing it from characters for long-tailed species. It serves as a semantic radical in many characters related to birds, poultry, or bird-related actions like gathering or flying. Originally an independent noun for birds such as pigeons or doves, its standalone use has declined, and it now appears chiefly as a structural component within phono-semantic compounds.
Etymology Hide
