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隽 (juàn or jùn), the simplified form of 雋, now serves as an adjective meaning "profound" or "outstanding". The traditional character combines 隹 (zhuī, a short-tailed bird) above 弓 (gōng, a bow), depicting a bird shot with a bow; the original meaning was "to shoot and kill wild birds". Over time, the sense shifted from this concrete action to the abstract qualities "superior" and "outstanding". Today it appears in compounds like 隽永 (juànyǒng), describing deeply meaningful literary works, and 隽才 (jùncái), denoting exceptional talent.
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