About
麋 is a phono-semantic compound, combining the semantic radical 鹿 (deer) with the phonetic component 米 (rice). The radical places the character within the deer family, specifying a large species such as an elk or moose, and is historically linked to Pere David's deer, native to Chinese river valleys. The phonetic element 米 was selected for its sound value at the time of the character's creation and does not contribute any meaning related to grain to the animal's definition.
Etymology Hide
