Original meaning: snake-like or insect-like creature
Depicts a snake-like or insect-like creature. Based on the original meaning "snake-like or insect-like creature". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
Character Evolution
Oracle Bone~1250-1000 BCOracle Bone~1250-1000 BCOracle Bone~1250-1000 BCBronzeEarly Western Zhou~1000 BCBronzeLate Western Zhou~800 BCSealWarring States (Chu)475-221 BCSealWarring States (Chu)475-221 BCSealWarring States (Chu)475-221 BCSealShuowen~100 ADClericalQin221-206 BCClericalWestern Han202 BC-9 ADClericalWestern Han202 BC-9 ADClericalEastern Han25-220 ADRegularModern