Definitions

used in 轂轆|毂辘[gū lu]
the hub of wheel

Etymology phono-semantic

wheel

Semantic:

About

The traditional character "轂" is structured with the semantic component "車" indicating its relation to vehicles and the component "殻" which provides phonetic guidance and conveys the idea of a hard casing. Its core meaning has consistently been the hub of a wheel, the part that surrounds and rotates on the axle. In classical Chinese literature, the term occasionally extended to refer to the wheel itself or was used metaphorically to denote a central point. The simplified form "毂" modifies the structure to "车" alongside "士" and "殳", yet continues to represent the same mechanical concept.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern