猋
wind, storm, gale, dog moving
Readings
On'yomi
- ヒョウ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
猋 centers on a rushing, sweeping motion like a strong wind or storm, and by extension the swift movement of a dog. The core idea is something moving fast and forcefully.
Study
Etymology
猋 is composed of three 犬 (dog) elements stacked, suggesting the swift, rushing movement of dogs, which was extended to mean a gale or storm. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the tripled-dog structure is a known pattern for intensifying the base meaning.
Meaning mnemonic
Three dogs 犬 running together create a whirlwind of motion, like a storm sweeping through. Their fast, chaotic movement captures both the wind and the dog-moving senses.
Reading mnemonic
For ヒョウ, imagine a sudden storm hitting with a loud 'hyow' sound, like wind howling: hyow -> ヒョウ, and the three dogs race ahead of the gale.