貍
a fox-like animal
Strokes14
Readings
On'yomi
- リ
- ライ
Kun'yomi
- たぬき
Meaning
貍 refers to a fox-like animal, often identified as a badger or raccoon dog in East Asian contexts. Its meaning is narrow and specific to this creature.
Study
Etymology
貍 combines 豸 (a beast radical often used for wild animals) with 里, which likely provides the sound. The character was used historically for a fox-like animal, possibly a badger or raccoon dog.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 豸 suggests a wild beast, and the right side 里 looks like a village. Imagine a fox-like animal sneaking around a village at night.
Reading mnemonic
For リ, picture a fox-like animal leaping over a village fence: leap -> リ, and the animal is the 貍.