Definitions
(old) cap (garment); military officer of low rank (in former times); preceding
Etymology
Depicts hands (廾) holding a cap.
About
The character 弁 originally denoted a conical cap worn by ancient Chinese noblemen during formal rites. Its modern form combines 厶 (covering) above 廾 (two hands), visually suggesting the act of placing such headwear. Beyond the physical cap, 弁 also came to signify lower-ranking military officers, as in the term 马弁. Furthermore, it developed an abstract sense of haste or urgency, evident in compounds like 弁急.
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