About
魑 (chī) is a phono-semantic compound: 鬼 (ghost, spirit, demon) gives the meaning, and 离 (a simplified form of 離) gives the sound. It refers to a malevolent mountain demon from ancient Chinese folklore, believed to inhabit deep forests and wilderness. Today, it is almost exclusively used in the idiom 魑魅魍魉 (chīmèiwǎngliǎng), a collective term for various wicked spirits, monsters, and evil forces.
Etymology Hide
Example Words
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.