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靥 is a phono-semantic compound: 面 (miàn, 'face') at the bottom indicates the meaning, while 厌 (yàn) at the top provides the sound. The traditional form 靨 uses the corresponding traditional component 厭 as phonetic. The character originally denoted a dimple, especially one that appears when smiling. In modern usage, it appears mainly in poetic or formal language to describe a sweet, smiling face or an artificial dimple, such as those drawn in historical Chinese makeup.
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