About
猢 is a specialized phono-semantic compound used almost exclusively for a type of primate, like a macaque. It combines the animal radical 犭, placing it among beasts, with the phonetic component 胡 (hú) to indicate its pronunciation. Historically, it appears mainly in the compound word 猢狲 (húsūn), a colloquial or literary term for monkey. When applied to people, this term can be playful or slightly derogatory, often describing hyperactive or mischievous children.