Definitions

(literary) haughty; arrogant

Etymology phono-semantic

person

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character is a phono-semantic compound: the left radical (person) points to human behavior and social attitudes, while the right element provides the pronunciation. It describes a personality trait of arrogance or haughtiness: an overbearing pride that makes a person condescending, overly proud, and disrespectful. Used mostly in literary and historical contexts, it frequently forms compounds that contrast such conceited, disrespectful behavior with the preferred social virtues of humility, courtesy, and modesty.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern