About
The character 蛆 is a phonosemantic compound: 虫 (chóng, 'insect' or 'worm') functions as the semantic component, and 且 (qiě) provides the phonetic value. It denotes a maggot, the larval form of a fly, commonly found in decaying organic material. The insect radical classifies the word among bugs and crawling creatures. Although the definition is limited to fly larvae, it can also be employed as an insult meaning something vile or repulsive. In both daily and scientific usage, 蛆 stands as the specific noun for maggots.
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