About
The character "蛹", meaning insect pupa, is a phono-semantic compound whose structure integrates the radical "虫" for insect with the component "甬" serving as a phonetic indicator, a formation that has maintained its integrity over time. Etymologically, the selection of "甬" was primarily for its sound, though this component also carries independent meanings unrelated to the insect realm, which did not influence the specific meaning of "蛹". The term has consistently denoted the quiescent developmental stage between larva and adult in insects, with its semantic scope remaining narrowly focused on this biological concept without expansion or metaphorical diversion.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这是一个蚕蛹。
蚕蛹可以食用。
蝴蝶从蛹中羽化。
蛹是昆虫的发育阶段。
蚕蛹富含蛋白质营养。
在蛹期，昆虫不吃不动。
科学家观察了蛹的变态过程。
某些鸟类以地下越冬的蛹为食。