About
The character 眄 (miǎn) is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic component, the eye radical 目 (mù), indicates a meaning related to vision, while the phonetic component 丏 (miǎn) provides the pronunciation. It specifically denotes the action of glancing sideways or casting a sidelong look. In classical literature and poetry, this particular glance is often used to convey subtle emotions, from disdain and arrogance to quiet affection or careful observation, all without turning the head. As a result, 眄 captures a precise non-verbal cue and remains a specialized literary term rather than a word of everyday use.
Etymology Hide
