About
The character "篦" is a phono-semantic compound formed from the bamboo radical (竹) denoting its material origin and the phonetic component "比" (bǐ) providing its sound. Etymologically, it referred to a fine-toothed comb traditionally crafted from bamboo for grooming and removing lice. Its meaning expanded to encompass the act of combing with such a tool, while the core association with the comb object itself has continued. The character's structure has not seen substantial alteration in its standardized form.
Etymology Hide
