Dong Chinese dictionary

què

to strike from above

Original meaning:

to strike a musical instrument

Depicts a hand holding a mallet or stick (殳) striking a musical instrument. The component originally depicting a musical instrument was later reanalyzed as a sound component (𡉉). Based on the original meaning "to strike a musical instrument". The meaning later shifted to "to strike from above".

Components

𡉉 Sound component

què

yurt

Originally depicted a hanging musical instrument. Later reanalyzed into sound component 𡉉.

殳 Iconic component

shū

weapon or tool

Depicts a hand holding a mallet or a stick.

Evolution

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze script

Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)

Regular script

Modern

Definitions

㱿

què

(interchangeable 殼) the husk, skin or shell of fruits; the shell of snakes, insects, etc., the shells of mollusks; a bag or case made of leather for weapons, (interchangeable 慤) prudent; cautious, (same as 嗀) to vomit; to throw up, strong; durable; solid; firm; stable

Component uses

Sound component in 3 characters (3 verified)

壳殼轂

Remnant component in 1 character (1 verified)

Sources

季旭昇《說文新證》p.227