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Kotomora

腺

gland, (kokuji)

StatusJōyō · secondary schoolStrokes13

Readings

On'yomi

  • セン

Kun'yomi

—

Meaning

腺 centers on a biological gland: an organ that secretes substances. As a kokuji created in Japan, it has no extended abstract meanings.

Most common words using 腺

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Etymology

腺 is a Japanese kokuji created in the Edo period for medical terminology. It combines ⺼ (flesh/body part) with 泉 (spring/fountain), suggesting a body part that secretes fluid like a spring.

Meaning mnemonic

The flesh radical ⺼ indicates a body part, and 泉 is a spring. Picture a gland as a spring inside the body that releases fluids.

Reading mnemonic

For セン, imagine a gland sending out secretions: send -> セン, and the gland sends fluids like a spring.