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An Etymological Dictionary of Chinese Characters
Interpretations by Lawrence J. Howell and Hikaru Morimoto |
| Covering 6,500 Chinese characters as used in Japan |
Word Family of Terms Originally Pronounced KAG
Semantic Values of the Sound KAG: Frame + Straight
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Many characters in this word family involve objects that are literal frames on account of their square/rectangular or X-shaped forms. Examples of square/rectangular framing elements include
A vehicle (車)
The foundation of a building (亜 and 虚)
A table/desk or (game) board (棋, 碁, 机)
A pennant, banner or flag (旗)
An altar (示)
Shackles (械)
Examples of X-shaped framing elements include
Crossing lines between parallel lines (五)
Meshing buds (芽)
Hands supporting an interlocking object (与)
Notched sticks that fit together (互)
An infant’s skull that has not yet fused (児)
Often, the framing suggests coverage or enclosure:
A house (家)
A woman in a house/palace (嫁, 姫)
A storehouse (稼, 庫)
Buttocks on a stool (処)
A mask (仮, 夏)
Another common image is that of a figurative frame created by the two ends of a long and straight object:
A carpentry tool (巨)
A great distance between two points (距)
Something that is raised or arises spontaneously (己, 改, 起)
A figure stretched to his/her full height (企)
Among the non-Everyday Use Characters, we find the following examples:
A swarm of insects in a container (蠱)
A shell overlaying a shrimp (蝦, 鰕), a crab (蟹) or a clam (硨)
Fog/mist overhanging the sky (霞)
Containers for non-specified objects (襾 and 賈)
The upper teeth (or fangs) overlapping the bottom teeth (牙 and 齬)
A flag placed upon a pile of objects (於)
A type of tree the wood of which was used to make coffins (檟)
The frame represented by the skirt of a helmet (鐚)
A hook-shaped tool (鉅)
Frames of a square/rectangular or X-shape are evident in
The X-shape formed by a flying squirrel (鼯)
A forked branch (丫)
Square/rectangular furniture or implements (几, 其 and 箕)
Shelves creating cupboards in a pantry (庋)
A carpenter's square (矩)
The foundation of ruined structures (墟)
A stand framing a bell (鐻)
A contained blaze (煕)
A zigzagging gorge (谺)
Crossing bars (梧 and 輿)
Criss-crossing islands of an archipelago (嶼)
The sides of the body framing the torso (胠)
The frame created by objects set at a distance from each other (遐)
Plant matter used in weaving (茣)
A multitude of legs crossing in propulsion (蜈)
A prisoner contained in a jail (圄 and 圉)
A kneeling person (跽)
An edifice (廨 and 廈) constructed at a crossroads (衙)
The idea of tautly stretched frames appears in
A pig stretched taut for slaughter (亥)
A skeletonized body (骸)
A narrow enclosure through which passage is barely possible (隘 and 縊)
The tight frame of a ditch/channel/canal (渠)
The upward-arching figure of a zelkova tree (欅)
Footwear in the form of tautly stretched leather framing the feet (鞋)
We also find framing in the sense of a barricade formed by a stopped or immobile object, as in
A person come to a stop (矣)
Animals deadlocked in butting heads or horns (牾 and 麌)
A large rock acting as an obstacle (碍 and 礙)
Silting/clogging (淤)
Armor neckplates (錏)
Extensions of meaning or abstract applications of the senses noted above are found in the remaining characters in this group.
呉 (7) ゴ SIS 
SIS shows a mouth + a head leaning forward, the body creating an L shape → boisterous verbal exchange. The ancient Chinese kingdom of Wu (Japanese: Go) is a borrowing → China.
娯 (10) ゴ
As per 呉 (Type 1 Phonetic) (rousing exchange) + 女 woman → enjoy the company of a woman → pleasure; enjoyment. 娯 was devised to replace 呉.
虞 (13) グ；おそれ
As per 呉 (Type 1 Phonetic) (rousing exchange) + 虍 tiger → tigers locked in combat. Give careful thought to is a borrowed meaning, as are be anxious about, fear, apprehension and concern.
誤 (14) ゴ；あやま（り・る）
As per 呉 (Type 1 Phonetic) (rousing exchange) + 言 words → inconsistent/irrational speech → mistake; err.
五 (4) ゴ；いつ；いつ（つ） S/B 
S/B shows two crossing lines between two parallel lines → five (← when counting to ten on one hand, a person first counts to five, then crosses back the other way to reach ten).
悟 (10) ゴ；さと（り・る）
As per 吾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (exchange of words) + 心 heart/emotions → point at which thoughts, feelings or emotions come together in the heart → understanding; enlightenment; comprehension; perception; realization; notice.
語 (14) ゴ；かた（る）
As per 吾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (exchange of words) + 言 words → converse; talk; tell → narrate; saying; word; language. 語 was devised to replace 吾.
芽 (8) ガ；め；め（ぐむ）
牙 (Type 1 Phonetic) fangs/mesh + 艸 grass/plant → buds that mesh → bud → sprout; shoot → sign; omen; beginnings.
邪 (8) ジャ
牙 (Type 1 Phonetic) (fangs/mesh) + 邑 village/settlement → a crossroads settlement → evil (← cross another); wrong; illness.
雅 (13) ガ
隹 short, squat bird + 牙 (Type 6 Phonetic) for the sound alone to simulate cawing → crow. Compare 烏 and 舃. Elegance and grace are borrowed (from 牙 in the sense of "round off rough edges" → smooth; polished → elegance; grace). For this reason, 雅 is placed in this WF rather than with the onomatopoeic group.
与 (3) ヨ；あた（える） Formerly 與 BIS  SIS 
BIS shows two objects meshing, to which SIS adds two pairs of hands → two people each using both hands to hold up/out an (interlocking) object → work jointly; participate. Give and grant are borrowed meanings.
挙 (10) キョ；あ（がる・げて・げる） Formerly 擧 Alternate Form 舉
As per 與 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 与 (two people each using both hands to hold up/out an [interlocking] object → joint effort) + 手 (still another) hand → the combined and simutaneous efforts of many → raise; action; pick up; do/perform; all/all together; in a body. Also, indicate and demonstrate (← raise significant points), along with nominate, arrest and hold (a ceremony) (← group actions).
誉 (13) ヨ；ほま（れ） Formerly 譽
As per 與 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 与 (two people each using both hands to hold up/out an [interlocking] object → joint effort) + 言 words → the words of many combined and offered in praise → honor; glory; fame; renown; reputation.
虚 (11) キョ Formerly 
The previous form combines an element based on the SIS style of 丘 (Type 4 Phonetic) (hill with a depression in the middle) + 虍 (Type 1 Phonetic) tiger (here suggesting the idea of a depression, inspired by the image of a tiger crouched to pounce; compare 盧) → basin notably sunken in the middle (e.g., for the foundation of a building; compare 亜) → hollow; empty → false; untrue; fool.
御 (12) ゴ；ギョ；お；おん；み Formerly 
As per 卸 (Type 3 Phonetic) (tame a horse) + 彳 movement → tame a horse by teaching it to move calmly → control → honorary prefix (← possessions and functions of the emperor). Defend is a borrowing.
塑 (13) ソ
As per 朔 (Type 3 Phonetic) (full cycle) + 土 earth (→ earthen lump) → mold earth into a particular shape by spinning it → clay figure; model (← shaped lump of clay).
互 (4) ゴ；たが（い）
Pictograph of two notched sticks that fit together → mutual.
児 (7) ジ；ニ Formerly 兒 SIS 
SIS shows an infant's skull that has not yet fused (the fontanel depicted in 思) + 儿 human figure → infant; (very young) child.
家 (10) カ；ケ；いえ；や
宀 roof/building + 豕 pig/boar → livestock in a hut/shed → house → home; family; shop; store; business → dealer; seller; specialist (← tradesman operating a particular business).
嫁 (13) カ；とつ（ぐ）；よめ
家 (Type 1 Phonetic) house + 女 woman → bride taken into her husband's familial house (compare 姫) → marry → one's wife; one's daughter-in-law.
稼 (15) カ；かせ（ぐ）
As per 家 (Type 1 Phonetic) (livestock in a hut/shed) + 禾 grain/rice → harvested crops in a covered storehouse → plant crops; earn a living; work → gain (← work).
車 (7) シャ；くるま BIS 
BIS is a pictograph of the frame of a rickshaw with dual seats → vehicle → wheel; wheel-shaped object; automobile.
庫 (10) コ
車 (Type 1 Phonetic) vehicle + 广 building → storehouse (covered structure for the storage of vehicles and weapons).
処 (5) ショ Formerly 處
夂 leg/foot pointed downward + 几 (Type 1 Phonetic) desk/table → stop and rest oneself upon a low stool (compare 居) → place; point in time (place an object where it belongs). Later, 虍 tiger was appended to suggest the pronunciation, but the present form reverts to the original.
拠 (8) キョ；コ Formerly 據
The previous form is 手 hand/action indicator + 豦 (Type 4 Phonetic) as described in 劇 (fierce fighting between a tiger and a boar; compare 虞) → create a base for one's martial activities → point of origin. The present form combines 手 with an abbreviated form (Type 8 Phonetic) of 處 as described in 処 (in which 虍 tiger suggests the pronunciation).
仮 (6) カ；かり Formerly 假
As per 叚 (Type 2 Phonetic) (overlay) + 人 person → actions of a person whose face is covered with a mask (compare 夏) → temporary; provisional; false → lend/borrow temporarily; suppose that; leisure; put up a brave front.
暇 (13) カ；ひま
As per 叚 (Type 2 Phonetic) (overlay) + 日 sun/day → leisure (time) (← extra time ← overlay of days/time).
下 (3) カ；ゲ；お（りる・ろす）；くだ（さる・す・る）；さ（がる・げる）；した；しも S/B 
S/B is an ideograph showing one line below another, suggesting the idea of under (contrast 上) → low; lower; below; down; subordinate; descend. Extended meanings from "down" or "below" include come/go down; fall; drop; hang (down/from); hand down; younger; have diarrhea; abort (a fetus); step/move back; withdraw; leave the capital; retire and surrender. By further extension are carry, remove and clear a table (← take down from a table); grate (← grated shavings that fall below); give and do someone the favor of(← hand ← hand down); obtain (← be handed/given); and latter half (← bottom/lower of two halves).
価 (8) カ；あたい Formerly 價
賈 (Type 1 Phonetic) buy + 人 person → merchant setting a price/value on merchandise.
夏 (10) カ；ゲ；なつ S/B 
S/B is a pictograph of a masked dancer (compare 仮). Summer is an extended meaning, the idea being that of a dance performed at the time when vegetation reaches its peak and covers the land.
亜 (7) ア Formerly 亞
Pictograph of a rectangular hollow made in the earth for the foundation of a building (compare 虚) → subordinate; sub. Asia is via the phonetic construction 亞細亞.
去 (5) キョ；さ（る） S/B 
S/B is a pictograph of a lidded, sunken container (compare 缶) → withdraw (← sink inward) → leave; go; pass (away from); disappear; resign (a post); divorce; last (October etc.) (← past ← pass).
巨 (5) キョ
Pictograph of a 工-shaped square with a handle → ruler. Large/huge and much/many are on account of the great distance between the ends of the tool.
拒 (8) キョ；こば（む）
As per 巨 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tool with a great distance between either end) + 手 hand/action indicator → keep another person at a distance → refuse; deny; defend.
距 (12) キョ
As per 巨 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tool with a great distance between either end) + 足 leg/foot → spur (that keeps the digits of a fighting cock separated) → distance.
午 (4) ゴ S/B  BIS  SIS 
S/B, BIS and SIS are pictographs of a mallet used to pound grain (with alternating blows). The meaning "mallet" gave way to the idea of alternation, particularly with the nuance of "alternate and be next in turn" → latter half of a unit of measurement (e.g., for a group of twelve, 午 covers 7-12) → noon (← crossing point of a day). Horse (as the seventh sign of the zodiac), south, and 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. are borrowed meanings.
許 (11) キョ；ゆる（す）
As per 午 (Type 1 Phonetic) (mallet for pounding grain → grain sinking into a mortar) + 言 words → allow; accept; acknowledge; admit; permit (← yield in response to another's words, offer or suggestion) → forgive; pardon; excuse.
基 (11) キ；もと；もとい
As per 其 (Type 1 Phonetic) (square/rectangular) + 土 earth → square, earthen platform → basis; foundation; origin.
期 (12) キ；ゴ 【 朞 】 キ ゴ Alternate Form 朞
As per 其 (Type 1 Phonetic) (square/rectangular) + 月 moon → period; cycle (← fixed phases of the moon; compare 季).
棋 (12) キ Alternate Form 棊
As per 其 (Type 1 Phonetic) (square/rectangular) + 木 tree/wood → rectangular wooden playing table → shogi; (the game of) go.
欺 (12) ギ；あざむ（く）
As per 其 (Type 1 Phonetic) (square/rectangular) + 欠 bent, open-mouthed figure → lean toward another (compare 呉) and speak in a deceptively earnest (= square) manner → deceive; trick; cheat.
碁 (13) ゴ
As per 其 (Type 1 Phonetic) (square/rectangular) + 石 stone → game in which stone pieces are used on a rectangular playing table → (the game of) go. Unlike 棋, which can refer to both go and shogi, 碁 refers only to go.
旗 (14) キ；はた
As per 其 (Type 1 Phonetic) (square/rectangular) + the pennant/banner element as described in 旅 → rectangular flag/pennant/banner.
示 (5) ジ；シ；しめ（す） S/B 
S/B is a pictograph of an altar with a square/rectangular surface → show; indicate; display; express (← manifest ← altar as a place where the gods manifest their will). 示 also functions as a referent to the supernatural.
机 (6) キ；つくえ
几 (Type 1 Phonetic) desk/table + 木 tree/wood → wood used in constructing a desk.
意 (13) イ
As per 音 (Type 2 Phonetic) (something contained in the mouth, that acts as an impediment to speech → contain) + 心 heart/emotions → contain numerous feelings in one's heart (compare 念), but without giving them outward expression → (deep) thought; mind; signification.
疑 (14) ギ；うたが（い・う・わしい）
As per 矣 (Type 1 Phonetic) (person come to a stop) + 子 child and 疋 one of a pair of legs pointing in different directions → have one's heart captivated by a beloved child and be reluctant to move away → suspicion; doubt; question (← conditions in which one's thoughts are arrested and progress no further).
擬 (17) ギ
As per 疑 (Type 1 Phonetic) (be stopped) + 手 hand/action indicator → be of a divided mind over which of two objects, held in either hand, is genuine and which is fake → consider; reflect → imitate; resemble; model on.
医 (7) イ (Formerly) 醫
醫 is a once-separate character that to 殹 (Type 1 Phonetic) (place arrows in a container) adds 酉 alcohol container → place medicinal plants in a container for brewing → doctor; cure. The present form combines 匸 contain/conceal and 矢 arrow, originally indicating a container for arrows.
姫 (10) キ；ひめ Formerly  SIS 
SIS is a pictograph of a chin turned on its axis (compare the same turning process with 目). The previous form adds 女 woman → woman confined indoors (compare 嫁) → mistress; court lady → princess, honorific title for a woman of high rank. 姫 is 女 woman + 臣 (Type 2 Phonetic) (slave making a stiff bow). 姫 originally referred to a female slave, but the influence of the developed meaning of 臣 (courtly retainer) led to the previous form being supplanted by 姫.
劾 (8) ガイ
As per 亥 (Type 1 Phonetic) (be stretched taut) + 力 power/energy → make a slack object taut → (criminal) investigation (← tighten a loose collection of facts and bring to a conclusion).
該 (13) ガイ
As per 亥 (Type 1 Phonetic) (be stretched taut) + 言 words → stipulations that create tension when orders are given to an army and put into effect → apply (to); warn; pervade → the said thing/individual (← relevance ← orders that become relevant when put into effect).
戒 (7) カイ；いまし（め・める） BIS 
BIS is a pair of hands + 戈 spear/halberd → make another taut in readiness, a weapon in hand → admonish; prohibit; warn (← words spoken to put others in a state of preparedness) → instruct.
械 (11) カイ
戒 (Type 1 Phonetic) admonish + 木 tree/wood → shackles (← wooden contrivances used in admonition/punishment) → device; machine.
己 (3) コ；キ；おのれ
Pictograph of a pattern on ancient earthenware vessels, originally signifying "arise" (flat line that springs up) → oneself (← arise/start up when one's name is called). Sixth in a series and sixth calendar sign are borrowed meanings.
忌 (7) キ；い（まわしい・み・む）
己 (Type 1 Phonetic) arise + 心 heart/emotions → feelings of disgust/hatred that create emotional tautness → shun; avoid; abstain from; taboo (← shun that which one detests).
改 (7) カイ；あらた（まる・めて・める）
己 (Type 1 Phonetic) arise + 攵 action indicator → cause strain/tension and raise up → reform; renew; anew; amend; correct → replace; improve; change; check; again; another time. Be formal/ceremonious is by extension from the idea of causing strain/tension; compare 敬.
紀 (9) キ
己 (Type 1 Phonetic) arise + 糸 thread → hold up a thread to locate its starting point, mark it, begin winding from that point and sew/knit → history; narrative (record); chronicle.
記 (10) キ；しる（す）
己 (Type 1 Phonetic) arise + 言 words → words that help raise clues/signs → notation; record; memory; mark; marker → write down; mention.
起 (10) キ；お（きる・こす・こる）
己 (Type 1 Phonetic) arise + 走 run → arise/awaken and cause to occur → generate; start; begin; establish → originate in; stay awake.
企 (6) キ；くわだ（てる）
止 (Type 3 Phonetic) stop + variant of 人 person (as seen in 介) → stand on tiptoes in expectation (a posture that involves stiffening the body) → wait eagerly → plan; plot; scheme (← plans that help expectations materialize) → attempt (← carry out a plan).
支 (4) シ；ささ（える） SIS 
SIS is a pictograph of a hand holding a bamboo branch → support (← branch-like, Y-shaped object used as a support); hold (in check) (← forked stick that keeps an enemy at bay).
岐 (7) キ
支 (Type 1 Phonetic) branch + 山 mountain → mountain with branch-like features, or, a narrow mountain path that branches off in different directions → branch off; forked road.
技 (7) ギ；わざ
支 (Type 1 Phonetic) branch + 手 hand/action indicator → handle a stick or wooden object → complicated artistry → technique; skill → accomplishment.
枝 (8) シ；えだ
支 (Type 1 Phonetic) branch + 木 tree/wood → branch; bough; twig. 枝 was devised to replace 支 after the latter came to assume its extended meanings.
肢 (8) シ
支 (Type 1 Phonetic) branch + 肉 flesh → arms and legs; the limbs. Also, branch element.
解 (13) カイ；ゲ；と（かす・く・ける） Alternate Form 觧
角 (Type 4 Phonetic) horn + 刀 sword/knife + 牛 cow → dismember a cattle carcass, removing the horns as well → break; release; remove; unravel; disentangle; untie; loosen; solve; melt → understand; explain → dispel (← dispel doubts and obtain understanding) → cancel. Comb is by extension from "disentangle."
几 (2) キ
A pictograph of a desk/table. The rectangular surface could be either square (compare 其) or long and narrow (compare 肌 and 飢).
牙 (4) ガ；きば BIS 
BIS is a pictograph of fangs overlapping/meshing with the bottom teeth (compare 齬 and 顎) → fang. Also, tusk and tooth/teeth.
襾 (6) ア；カ
A pictograph of an object with a cover placed atop it → place atop/upon. Compare 於.
賈 (13) カ
襾 (Type 1 Phonetic) cover + 貝 commodities → cover valuables → buy; trade; merchant.
懈 (16) カイ；ケ
As per 解 (Type 1 Phonetic) (remove cattlehorns → remove a protective element) + 心 heart/emotions → strip away tense/guarded emotions → be relaxed. Also, laziness.
邂 (17) カイ
As per 解 (Type 1 Phonetic) (remove cattlehorns → remove a protective element) + 辵 movement (→ action indicator) → remove a barrier/partition and make an unexpected find → chance/unexpected encounter.
蟹 (19) カイ；かに Alternate Form 蠏
As per 解 (Type 1 Phonetic) (remove cattlehorns → remove a protective element) + 虫 insect/creature → remove the protective shell of a crab and eat it. Compare 蝦. The alternate form 蠏 repositions the 虫 element.
妓 (7) ギ；キ
支 (Type 8 Phonetic) here an abbreviated form of 技 skill + 女 woman → female entertainer skilled in singing, dancing and the musical arts. Also, prostitute (← provider of sexual entertainment; compare 娼).
馭 (12) ギョ
又 (Type 4 Phonetic) hand (→ handle) + 馬 horse → tame/handle (a horse) → control. Compare 御.
蠱 (23) ク； コ；のろい；まど（わす）；まよ（わす）；みだ（す）；むし
蟲 the previous form of 虫 insect + 皿 dish/plate/bowl → place insects on a plate which is then covered, allowing the insects to prey on each other. An ancient belief posited that the surviving insect(s) would accrue a store of attributes useful in treating illnesses. Worm, poison, curse, confuse and reduce are associated meanings.
於 (8) オ；ヨ；お（いて・ける）
Two parallel lines suggesting an immobile pile of objects + a variant of the pennant/banner element as described in 旅 → place a flag on a pile of objects (compare 襾) → at; in. With respect to and concerning are borrowed meanings.
祇 (8) ギ；シ
示 (Type 1 Phonetic) altar/the supernatural + 氏 family/clan → tutelary earth god. Solely and only are borrowed meanings. Distinguish 祇 from 祗. In the form of 祇 considered standard, the left-hand element is written 示.
吾 (7) ゴ；わ（が）；われ Alternate Form 唔
As per 五 (Type 1 Phonetic) (cross) + 口 mouth → exchange of words in conversation. I, my, our, one's own, oneself, and ego are borrowed meanings.
鼯 (20) グ；むささび
As per 吾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (exchange of words → cross) + 鼠 rat/mouse → flying squirrel (that forms an X shape when stretched in flight).
齬 (22) ゴ
As per 吾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (exchange of words → cross) + 歯 teeth → uneven teeth that overlap (= cross) in biting/chewing (compare 牙 and 顎) → conflict.
其 (8) キ；その；それ S/B  BIS 
S/B is a pictograph of a square winnow, while BIS appends 几 (Type 1 Phonetic) desk/table. That is a borrowed meaning.
箕 (14) キ；み
As per 其 (Type 1 Phonetic) (square/rectangular winnow) + 竹 bamboo → bamboo winnow → winnowing fan/fork. 箕 was devised to replace 其 after the latter's transformation of meaning.
麒 (19) キ；ギ
As per 其 (Type 1 Phonetic) (square/rectangular) + 鹿 deer → a fabulous creature reputed to make perfect right angles in turning. The creature is supposed to have the trunk of a deer, the tail of a cow and the hooves and mane of a horse, and to emit a multi-colored glow (see 麟). The compound 麒麟 refers to the male and female of the beast, with 麒 normally understood to represent the former and 麟 the latter. 麒麟 also applies to the giraffe, an animal which one theory postulates was the model for the imaginary beast.
矣 (7) イ SIS 
SIS shows a person looking backwards and coming to a stop. For the idea of stopping, compare 処 and 医. 矣 was eventually employed as a particle indicating the completion of an action.
埃 (10) アイ；ほこり
As per 矣 (Type 1 Phonetic) (person come to a stop) + 土 earth → dust (← dirt-like object that stops and accumulates).
挨 (10) アイ
As per 矣 (Type 1 Phonetic) (person come to a stop) + 手 hand/action indicator → push one's way through a milling crowd → approach.
殹 (11) エイ
As per 医 (Type 1 Phonetic) (container for arrows) + 殳 action indicator → place arrows in a container → echo (← echoing sound created by arrows tossed into a container; compare 投).
瑕 (13) カ；きず
As per 叚 (Type 2 Phonetic) (overlay) + 玉 jewel → flaw/blemish overlaying the surface of a jewel → defect; mistake; fault.
蝦 (15) カ；えび
As per 叚 (Type 2 Phonetic) (overlay) + 虫 insect/creature → shrimp (with a layered shell) → lobster. Compare 鰕, the Made-in-Japan character 蛯, as well as 蟹.
霞 (17) カ；かすみ；かす（む）
As per 叚 (Type 2 Phonetic) (overlay) + 雨 rain/natural phenomena → haze (that overlays the sky) → dim; blurred.
啞 (11) ア；おし Alternate Form 唖
As per 亞 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 亜 (press down upon) + 口 mouth → blockage of the throat → mute.
椏 (12) ア
As per 亞 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 亜 (press down upon) + 木 tree/wood → the crotch of a tree (upon which the upper trunks exert downward pressure).
炬 (9) キョ；コ
As per 巨 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tool with a great distance between either end) + 火 fire → torch (← object in which the heat source is distant from the hand that holds it).
杵 (8) ショ；きね
As per 午 (Type 1 Phonetic) (mallet) + 木 tree/wood → wooden mallet (used to pound grain with alternating blows) → pestle. 杵 was devised to replace 午.
碍 (13) ゲ；ガイ
An abbreviated form (Type 8 Phonetic) of 得 (circulation of goods comes to a halt) + 石 stone → large rock that acts as an obstacle (compare 礙). Some sources list 碍 as an alternate form of 礙.
礙 (19) ゲ；ガイ
As per 疑 (Type 1 Phonetic) (be stopped) + 石 stone → be stopped by an obstacle such as a large rock (compare 碍) → hindrance. Some sources list 礙 as an alternate form of 碍.
亥 (6) ガイ；カイ；い S/B  BIS 
S/B and BIS are pictographs of a pig stretched taut for slaughter. The twelfth is an extended meaning (← number at the end of the duodecimal system ← extend fully), as is boar (as the twelfth sign of the zodiac). 9 P.M. to 11 P.M. is a borrowed meaning.
駭 (16) ガイ
As per 亥 (Type 1 Phonetic) (be stretched taut) + 馬 horse → horse gone tense in fright or surprise (compare 驚 and 咢) → startle/surprise; be startled/surprised.
骸 (16) カイ；ガイ；むくろ
As per 亥 (Type 1 Phonetic) (be stretched taut) + 骨 bone → skeletonized body → bone(s) ; skeleton; corpse. Also, framework (← skeleton as the bony framework of the body).
杞 (7) コ；キ
己 (Type 1 Phonetic) arise + 木 tree/wood → willow (← tree with flexible branches that both bend and rise).
隘 (13) アイ；ヤク
As per the previous form of 益 (Type 1 Phonetic) (filled to the brim) + 阜 piled earth → narrow enclosure such as a gorge, almost entirely filled with earth. Compare 阨.
縊 (16) イ；くび（る・れる）
As per the previous form of 益 (Type 1 Phonetic) (filled to the brim) + 糸 thread → strangle by enclosing the victim's neck in a noose → hang (a criminal).
榎 (14) カ；えのき
夏 (Type 1 Phonetic) summer + 木 tree/wood → hackberry (← drought-resistant tree).
鐚 (20) ア；びた
As per 惡 (Type 1 Phonetic), the previous form of 悪 (be pressed upon) + 金 metal → soft metal, pressed into a particular shape (a primary application being the skirt of a helmet). Bad money, as in the compound 鐚銭(びたぜに), is via a Japanese reinterpretation of this character as 惡 bad + 金 money.
矩 (10) ク；さしがね
As per 巨 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tool with a great distance between either end) + 矢 arrow (→ ancient measuring implement) → carpenter's square → standard. Compare also 榘 as described in 渠.
渠 (12) キョ；かれ；みぞ
榘 combines 矩 carpenter's square + 木 tree/wood → a wooden square. 渠 is an abbreviated form (Type 8 Phonetic) of 榘 + 水 water → ditch/channel/canal (carefully planned conveyance for water).
滸 (14) コ；ほとり
許 (Type 1 Phonetic) accept (→ be acted upon) + 水 water → shore (that continually yields to the pounding of water) → vicinity.
墟 (15) キョ；あと
As per the previous form of 虚 (Type 1 Phonetic) (basin hollowed into the ground for the foundation of a building) + 土 earth → (hollow) ruins.
冀 (16) キ；こいねが（う）
異 (Type 3 Phonetic) unusual/different and 北 north → a region in northern China (now identified with Hebei Province) famed for a special breed of horse, 騏, which featured a distinctive (= unusual) square pattern on the hide, blue-black in color. Hope and wish for are borrowed meanings.
驥 (27) キ
As per 冀 (Type 1 Phonetic) (special) + 馬 horse → thoroughbred horse → talent(ed person).
煕 (14) キ；ひか（る）；やわ（らぐ） Alternate Forms 熙 熈
火 fire + 巳 (Type 3 Phonetic) (fetus) + the previous form of the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 姫 (confine) → brilliant fire, confined to a particular place (as a fetus is confined in the womb) → bright; shine. Spread is via a Japanese reinterpretation of the character (spreading fire), as is abate (← abating fire) → relax (← ease ← abating fire).
誡 (14) カイ；いまし（める）
戒 (Type 1 Phonetic) admonish + 言 words → admonish or warn (verbally).
伎 (6) ギ；キ
支 (Type 1 Phonetic) branch + 人 person → person handling a wooden stick or object → skill; talent; ability; deed. Compare 技.
訝 (11) ガ；ゲ；ゲン；いぶか（しい・しむ・る）
As per 牙 (Type 1 Phonetic) (cross) + 言 words → words exchanged when crossing paths with another → meet. Also, suspicion and doubt (← cautious attitude toward a stranger. For the connection between coming to a stop and a suspicious attitude, compare 疑.
谺 (11) カ；こだま
As per 牙 (Type 1 Phonetic) (cross) + 谷 valley/gorge → deep, zigzagging gorge. Echo is an associated meaning (← sound crossing back and forth over a gorge). In Japan, echoes were once regarding as emanating from tree spirits.
耶 (9) ヤ；ジャ；か
A variant of 邪, substituting 耳 ear for 牙 (Type 1 Phonetic) (possibly a copying error). Once created, 耶 came to be employed as an interrogative, and used for transliterations.
揶 (12) ヤ
Originally 捓, which is 邪 (Type 1 Phonetic) evil (→ deviate) + 手 hand/action indicator → meddle in another's affairs with the purpose of leading astray → tease/make fun of (spitefully).
伍 (6) ゴ
五 (Type 1 Phonetic) five + 人 person → (a group/company of) five people; (the number) five.
梧 (11) ゴ；あおぎり
As per 吾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (exchange of words → cross) + 木 tree/wood. The character originally referred to crossing wooden bars used as a prop. Chinese parasol tree is a borrowed meaning (← species with finely intersticed leaves).
嶼 (17) ショ；しま
As per 與 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 与 (two people each using both hands to hold up/out an [interlocking] object) + 山 mountain → (→ mountainous shape) → criss-crossing islands of an archipelago → island.
輿 (17) ヨ；こし
As per 與 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 与 (two people each using both hands to hold up/out an [interlocking] object) + 車 vehicle → group shouldering the crossing bars of a palanquin → shoulder (an object); many; all (← many people uniting to shoulder a load).
欅 (22) キョ；けやき
The previous form (Type 1 Phonetic) of 挙 raise + 木 tree/wood → zelkova tree (← species with branches that angle upward rather than outward).
倪 (10) ゲイ
兒 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 児 (infant with a crossed, undeveloped fontanel) + 人 person → (feeble) infant. (Sidelong) glance and stare are borrowed meanings (via 睨).
睨 (13) ゲイ；にら（む）；ね（める）
兒 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 児 (infant with a crossed, undeveloped fontanel) + 目 eye → squint/stare in the manner of an infant → (sidelong) glance.
茣 (10) ゴ
As per 呉 (Type 1 Phonetic) (rousing exchange → cross) + 艸 grass/plant → a species of grass resembling mugwort, and used for weaving (compare 茣蓙 [ゴザ] rush mat).
蜈 (13) ゴ
As per 呉 (Type 1 Phonetic) (rousing exchange → cross) + 虫 insect → insect with a multitude of legs that cross in propulsion. The compound 蜈蚣 refers specifically to a centipede.
禦 (16) ギョ；ふせ（ぐ）
As per 御 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tame a horse → control) + 示 altar/the supernatural → festival/ceremony held to ward off evil → resist; block.
遽 (17) キョ；あわ（ただしい）；にわか
豦 (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 劇 (fierce fighting between a tiger and boar) + 辵 movement → sudden/abrupt movement (in fighting) → sudden(ly). Fear is a borrowed meaning (compare 虞).
冴 (7) コ；さ（える）
牙 (Type 1 Phonetic) fangs/mesh + 氷 ice → biting cold; freeze/freezing. Also, clear (← cold, limpid sky).
椰 (13) ヤ
耶 (Type 1 Phonetic) variant of 邪 (crossroads settlement) + 木 tree/wood → (coconut) palm (← tree often found in arid crossroads settlements).
錏 (16) ア；しころ
As per 亞 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 亜 (press down upon) + 金 metal → armor neckplates exerting pressure upon the neck. Compare 鍜 and 錣.
圄 (10) ゴ；ギョ
As per 吾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (exchange of words) + 囗 circular enclosure → prison; imprison (← exchange one's liberty for confinement). For the idea of a prison, compare 圉.
晤 (11) ゴ；あき（らか）
As per 吾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (exchange of words) + 日 sun/day (→ bright) → (go to) meet; have a meeting (← meet and converse, resulting in enlightenment [compare 悟]). Clarity may be regarded either as an extended sense, or as a borrowing via悟.
牾 (11) ゴ；さか（らう）
As per 吾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (exchange of words) + 牛 cow → cattle exchanging blows by butting heads (compare 麌) → go against; be contrary/opposed to.
衙 (13) ガ；ギョ；ゴ；つかさ
As per 吾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (exchange of words) + 行 crossroads/movement → government office located at a crossroads, where residents and officials interact. Compare 廨. Erect a barricade is a borrowed meaning.
寤 (14) ゴ；さ（める）
As per 吾 (Type 1 Phonetic) (exchange of words) + an abbreviated form of 寝 sleep → exchange slumber for awakening → awaken. Clarity may be regarded either as an extended sense, or as a borrowing via 悟.
稘 (13) キ
As per 其 (Type 1 Phonetic) (square/rectangular) + 禾 grain/rice → one cycle; a full month; a full year. Compare 期 and 稔.
祺 (13) キ；さいわ（い）
其 (Type 8 Phonetic) here an abbreviated form of 稘 (full cycle → fullness) + 示 altar/the supernatural → full/abundant blessings from the gods (compare 福 with this same meaning) → fortunate; free of worry.
騏 (18) キ
As per 其 (Type 1 Phonetic) (square/rectangular) + 馬 horse → horse with blue-black skin (of an angular pattern); blue-black. Also, fast horse (compare 冀).
垓 (9) ガイ；カイ
As per 亥 (Type 1 Phonetic) (be stretched taut) + 土 earth → remote area (← figurative end of a stretch of earth); border of a remote area. The minor meaning 100 billion is via the notion of a figure with a long stretch of zeros; compare 億.
孩 (9) ガイ；カイ
As per 亥 (Type 1 Phonetic) (be stretched taut) + 子 child/offspring → suckling baby (whose bones are stretching into shape) → babyish; immature.
睚 (13) ガイ；まぶた；にら（む）
As per 厓 (Type 2 Phonetic) (neatly carved cliff) + 目 eye → eyelid (overhang the eye ← overhanging cliff). Also, stare/glare (← sharp stare ← sharp cliff).
鞋 (15) アイ；カイ；くつ
As per 圭 (Type 4 Phonetic) (pile earth high in a neat cone shape) + 革 leather → (pointy-shaped) footwear.
苣 (8) キョ；ちさ
As per 巨 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tool with a great distance between either end) + 艸 grass/plant → variety of vegetable with a prominent stem. Torch is via shape association.
秬 (10) キョ；くろきび
As per 巨 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tool with a great distance between either end) + 禾 grain/rice → black millet, taller than usual varieties.
鉅 (13) キョ
As per 巨 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tool with a great distance between either end) + 金 metal → metallic, hook-shaped tool → great; big (← large size of the tool). Also, metallic and steel (← metallic tool).
冱 (6) ゴ；こお（る）
As per 互 (Type 1 Phonetic) (fit together) + 氷 ice → freeze (← fuse in freezing; compare 冴).
圉 (11) ギョ；ゴ；ひとや
As per 幸 (Type 2 Phonetic) (handcuffs) + 囗 circular enclosure → prison (compare 圄). Also, ostler (← use equestrian equipment to control/train horses ← use handcuffs to control prisoners).
廨 (16) カイ
As per 解 (Type 1 Phonetic) (remove cattlehorns → remove a protective element) + 广 building → government office (reached after negotiating a protective barrier). Compare 衙.
忤 (7) ゴ；さか（らう）
As per 午 (Type 1 Phonetic) (mallet for pounding grain → grain sinking into a mortar) + 心 heart/emotions → go against; be contrary/opposed to (← resist by shrinking inward or back; compare 去 and 嫌.
欸 (11) アイ；ああ；なげ（く）
As per 矣 (Type 1 Phonetic) (person come to a stop) + 欠 bent, open-mouthed figure → be rendered immobile by grief/lamentation and issue a deep sigh.
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