縻
rope
Strokes17
Readings
On'yomi
- ビ
- ミ
Kun'yomi
- きずな
Meaning
縻 centers on a rope used to bind or tie, often with the nuance of a tether or leash that restrains.
Most common words using 縻
- 羈縻きび
tying down; fastening; binding
Study
Etymology
縻 combines 糸 (thread) with 麻 (hemp), suggesting a rope made from hemp fibers. The character likely developed as a specific term for a tethering rope.
Meaning mnemonic
Outside is 麻 (hemp), inside is 糸 (thread). Picture twisting hemp threads together to make a strong rope for tying things up.
Reading mnemonic
For ビ, imagine a bee tied to a rope: bee -> ビ, and the bee buzzes against its hemp tether.