Definitions

(literary) to die by hanging or strangulation

Etymology phono-semantic

thread

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character and its traditional counterpart are phono-semantic compounds combining the semantic radical ( in traditional), which represents silk and by extension rope or cord, with the phonetic . This association with cordage fits the character's meaning: to hang oneself or strangle someone using a rope around the neck. The phonetic indicates the pronunciation.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern