Definitions
quail
Etymology
About
The character 鴳 is a phono-semantic compound that specifically denotes the quail. Its semantic radical 鳥 (niǎo) classifies it as a bird, while the phonetic component 安 (ān) indicates its pronunciation. Together, they form a distinct taxonomic label for this ground-nesting game bird, distinguishing it from other avian species in historical texts. The phonetic element functions solely as a sound marker, independent of its original meaning of peace or safety.
Etymology Hide
