About
The character 糜, structurally formed by the semantic component 米 for rice and the phonetic element 麻, originally referred to a thick porridge or congee, grounding its etymology in a staple food preparation. From this concrete culinary sense, the term gradually developed abstract meanings, first extending to denote decay or rotting, perhaps influenced by the imagery of porridge breaking down or spoiling, and then further evolving to convey waste or extravagance, as seen in contexts where resources are dissipated. This semantic shift from a specific edible substance to metaphors of deterioration and profligacy reflects the character's conceptual expansion while its graphical composition has remained unchanged.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
不要吃糜烂的食物。
早晨我喜欢喝粥糜。
他经常糜费钱财。
糜子是一种常见的谷物。
奢侈的生活容易导致糜烂。
公司因管理不善而糜费严重。
虽然糜子产量高，但需要精细加工。
在微生物的作用下，有机物质逐渐糜烂分解。