媸
an ugly woman
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- シ
Kun'yomi
- あなど.る
- おろ.か
- みにく.い
- みだ.る
Meaning
媸 centers on ugliness, specifically describing an ugly woman. The meaning is narrow and concrete, without clear abstract extensions.
Study
Etymology
媸 combines 女 (woman) with 蚩, which likely contributes the sound and carries a sense of ugliness or foolishness. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
A woman 女 beside 蚩, a shape that suggests something unpleasant or ugly. Picture a woman whose appearance is marred by the ugly, insect-like 蚩 on her right.
Reading mnemonic
For シ, imagine an ugly woman who is so unpleasant that people say 'She!' with a hiss of distaste: She -> シ.