About
The character 霾 denotes suspended dust, smog, or heavy atmospheric haze. It is a phono-semantic compound: 雨 (rain) on top marks it as weather-related, while 貍 beneath gives the pronunciation, though its form resembles characters for certain mammals. Originally, it referred to windblown dust or soil that obscured the sky, setting it apart from moisture-based phenomena like fog or rain. Over time, its meaning broadened to include modern industrial smog and air pollution, adapting the core sense of atmospheric obscuration to contemporary contexts.
Etymology Hide
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.