Definitions

wěi be bent; crooked (of bones)

Etymology

About

The character 骫 is a phono-semantic compound denoting a crooked or bent state, especially in bones. Its structure is built on the semantic radical 骨 (gǔ), meaning "bone", which anchors the primary sense to anatomy. The right component 丸 (wán), meaning "pill", provides the phonetic element for pronunciation. Originally, the character described physical deformities like misshapen joints. This later extended metaphorically to signify injustice or deviation from what is right and straight. Thus, 骫 is used in both anatomical contexts and discussions of moral or legal distortion.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern