Definitions
to drag; to pull; Taiwan pr. [yì]
Etymology
Pictograph of two hands pulling something.
About
The character "曳" originated to represent the action of dragging, with its structure combining the component "申", which suggests extension, and the stroke "丿" to imply a pulling motion. Its early meaning was specifically to haul or tow, but over time the character's usage broadened to include lighter, repetitive movements such as swaying or flickering, evident in compounds like "摇曳". This semantic expansion shifted the character from solely denoting physical force to encompassing more gentle, oscillatory actions.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
树枝在风中摇曳。
烛光轻轻摇曳。
他用力拖曳重物。
车轮在泥地曳出深沟。
她的长发曳地而行。
瀑布曳出一道彩虹。
晚风中，柳条摇曳如舞蹈。
思绪被回忆曳向远方。