Definitions
steroid nucleus
Etymology
Pictograph of a container made out of bamboo. Variant of 𠙹.
About
Originally an ancient pictograph for a storage jar, the character 甾 (zāi) has been repurposed in modern chemistry to represent the core structure of steroids and sterols. Its form is now interpreted visually: the top component 巛 (chuān) suggests the three side chains, while the bottom 田 (tián) represents the four fused carbon rings. This inventive reapplication maps the character's geometry directly onto a molecular diagram, creating a precise piece of scientific nomenclature.
Etymology Hide
