蠖
inchworm, geometer
Strokes19
Readings
On'yomi
- ワク
- カク
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
蠖 centers on a specific type of caterpillar: the inchworm or geometer moth larva, known for its looping movement.
Most common words using 蠖
- 枝尺蠖えだしゃくとり
geometer moth caterpillar; geometrid caterpillar (of subfamily Ennominae)
Study
Etymology
蠖 combines 虫 (insect) with 蒦, which likely contributes the sound. The character specifically names the inchworm.
Meaning mnemonic
The insect radical 虫 on the left tells you it's a bug, and the right side 蒦 looks like a complex measuring tool—picture an inchworm measuring its way along a branch.
Reading mnemonic
For ワク, imagine an inchworm inching along a wok: wok -> ワク, and the worm loops around the curved pan.