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鼬 is a phono-semantic compound: the radical 鼠 (mouse/rodent) indicates a small mammal, while 由 supplies the sound. It denotes weasels, slender, predatory carnivores. The character has consistently held this zoological meaning, appearing mainly in compounds that name specific species like the Siberian weasel or yellow weasel. It has no metaphorical extensions and functions purely as a biological noun in both scientific and everyday usage.
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