Definitions
respectful; horrified; to raise (one's shoulders); to stand on tiptoe; to crane
Etymology
About
The character 竦 is structured from the components 立, meaning to stand, and 束, meaning to bind, with its etymology implying a constrained or tense upright posture. Initially denoting a physical stance of alertness or reverence, the character's meaning broadened over centuries to encompass psychological states of awe or fear, as seen in classical texts where it described both respectful stillness and startled alarm, integrating the conceptual elements of standing and restraint into its semantic range.
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