Word Family of Terms Originally Pronounced KUAT

Semantic Values of the Sound KUAT: Frame + (Curving/Round) + Cut/Divide/Reduce




The terms in this word family add the nuance of curvature or roundness to the KAT family theme of Frame + Cut/Divide/Reduce.
　Examples of the forms taken by this combination include circumambulation in patrolling (衛), pouring out of liquid contents from the round opening of a container (活), constriction of the round opening of a container (括), a packed gathering of people (会) or threads (絵), a dike scooped out to permit the flow of water (決), harvesting round grains of rice with a sickle-like implement (歳), the scooped-out appearance of a crescent moon (月 and 外), the employment of roundabout/devious methods (拐), a bone circulating freely in its socket (骨), hands compressing a large, round bundle (貴), a deep bowl into which sacrificial blood was drained (血), individuals standing in a circle (位), a moat (堀), the flattening of round objects (尉), and a hole dug in creating a cave dwelling (穴).

　Among the non-Everyday Use Characters, we find the following examples:

Grind the ingredients for a rich alcoholic concoction (鬱)
Impede speech (詘)
Impediment to hearing (聵)
Tightly wrapped vegetation (彗, 檜, 蕨, 薈)
Trees overhanging a road (樾)
A tree with a crown of leaves at top (杌)
A tightly wrapped present/offering (饋)
A battle-ax with a rounded handle (戉)
The upward-curving shafts of a vehicle (軏)
Scooping out of a hole (夬, 缺, 刮, 豁, 抉)
A jewel with a scooped-out appearance (玦)
A hole-damaged horn (觖)
Place the foot in a depression to gain leverage (蹶)
A round opening (筈, 蛞, 潏, 搰)
A lump of food that is consumed (噲)
A compressed bundle of threads (繢)
Amputation of a limb, revealing the round opening of a joint (孒, 刖)
Round wood chips (榾)
A round basket (簣)
Pack animals that tighten a circle about their prey (獪, 猾, 獗)
Forcible reduction of contents (潰, 匱)
A container (櫃, 厥)
A constrictive wooden frame (栝)
A coffin (槥)
The cylindrical snout of a pig (喙)
Constriction of the mouth (嗢, 嘒)
Closure of a gate (闋)
A cane/walking stick used by an elderly person with a bent back (枴)
Bend the body (窟, 崛)

　Extensions of meaning or abstract applications of the senses noted above are found in the remaining characters in this group.




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