The word "前嫌" is a compound formed by combining two distinct characters: "前" (qián), meaning "previous" or "former," and "嫌" (xián), meaning "resentment," "grudge," or "ill will." Together, they create a noun phrase that literally translates to "previous resentment" or "past grievances." It functions as a lexical unit referring to old conflicts, misunderstandings, or animosities from the past, most commonly used in the set phrase "冰释前嫌" (bīng shì qiánxián), meaning "to melt away previous grudges" or "to reconcile." The formation follows a standard modifier-head structure in Chinese, where "前" modifies and specifies the temporal nature of the "嫌," narrowing its meaning from resentment in general to specifically that which existed before.