Definitions
used in 佝僂|佝偻[gōu lóu]; Taiwan pr. [kòu]
used in 佝瞀[kòu mào]
Etymology
About
The character 佝 is a phono-semantic compound: the left radical 亻 (person) indicates meaning, while the right component 句 provides the sound and originally suggested something bent. This structure gives the character its core meaning, a person with a hunched or curved posture, later specifically associated with rickets. It is most commonly used in the word 佝偻, which refers to the skeletal deformities of the spine or limbs caused by nutritional deficiencies, illustrating how the initial idea of a bent human form evolved into a precise medical term.
Etymology Hide
