Definitions

jiān to hang down (hair)

Etymology

About

is a phono-semantic compound formed by the top radical , which signifies hair, and the bottom element , which indicates the pronunciation. Its primary meaning is a specific hairstyle: the hair that hangs down over the forehead, commonly called bangs or a fringe. From this, the character also acquired a verbal sense of trimming or cutting hair, a grooming action naturally associated with the hair radical.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern