せむし

せ

む

し

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

usually written using kana alonesensitive

Refers to a person with a hunched back or the condition itself. Considered sensitive; use with care. Compare 猫背 (ねこぜ), which describes a stooped posture rather than a medical condition.

Kanji

傴bend over, stoop, bow
僂bend over
背stature, height, back
虫insect, bug, temper

Related words

猫ねこ背ぜ
猫背 refers to a stooped or rounded posture, often temporary or habitual, while せむし implies a fixed spinal deformity or hunchback condition.
くる病びょう
くる病 is the modern medical term for rickets; せむし is a dated, sensitive term that historically referred to the same condition.

Written forms

せむしUsage74%
Kana spelling is standard; the word is usually written in kana. Kanji forms are rare or search-only.
傴僂せむしUsage26%
Rare kanji form; not commonly used in modern Japanese.
背せ虫むし
Rare kanji form; may be encountered in older texts.

Etymology

Compound of 背 (se, 'back') and むし (mushi), possibly from 虫 (mushi, 'bug, worm') or a variant of 蒸し (mushi, 'steamed'), referring to a hunched or swollen back. The exact derivation is uncertain.