About
As a phono-semantic compound, 黩 (simplified) and its traditional form 黷 combine a semantic radical with a phonetic component to express the idea of contamination. The left radical 黑 (black) anchors the meaning in concepts of staining, darkness, or the application of ink and dirt. The right component 卖 (from traditional 賣) provides the pronunciation. Its original sense referred to the physical act of blackening or defiling an object with grime. This concrete idea of staining developed into a powerful metaphor for sullying a reputation, corrupting purity, or engaging in reckless excess, most notably in idioms condemning the wanton overuse of military force.
Etymology Hide
