Definitions
broomcorn millet; glutinous millet
Etymology
Pictograph of a stalk of proso millet with drooping ears. The 氺 (water) component was added later to possibly indicate that this specific type of grain is used to brew wine.
About
The character "黍" refers to glutinous millet, and its structure incorporates the component "禾" denoting grain plants, combined with a lower element that has been associated with the sticky nature of the grain. Etymologically, the character has represented this crop since early Chinese texts, originating from agricultural terminology. Over time, the meaning of "黍" shifted from specifically indicating glutinous millet to occasionally serving as a general term for millet, while in classical usage it also functioned in contexts such as agricultural measures or symbols.
Etymology Hide
