囓
gnaw
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Readings
On'yomi
- ゲツ
- ケツ
Kun'yomi
- かじ.る
- か.む
Meaning
囓 centers on the act of gnawing: biting or chewing persistently with the teeth.
Study
Etymology
囓 combines 口 (mouth) with 齧 (gnaw, bite), reinforcing the idea of gnawing. The exact historical development is uncertain, but it likely serves as a semantic compound emphasizing the action of the mouth.
Meaning mnemonic
The mouth 口 on the left and the gnawing component 齧 on the right together show a mouth persistently chewing: gnawing.
Reading mnemonic
For ゲツ, imagine a mouse gnawing on a piece of wood, making a repetitive 'getsu-getsu' sound: getsu -> ゲツ.