Definitions
an amphibious beast resembling a tiger with one horn; place name
Etymology
Origin unclear. 虎 depicts a tiger.
About
The character 虒 is a phono-semantic compound, using the tiger radical 虍 to indicate its association with fierce beasts or wild felines, while the lower component contributes its historical pronunciation. In classical texts, it referred to a mythical amphibious creature resembling a tiger but bearing a single horn, capable of moving on both land and water. Beyond this zoological and mythological sense, 虒 also served as a proper noun for ancient place names and river names, its usage largely confined to these specialized historical contexts.
Etymology Hide
