賁 (bì)

to forge ahead; energetic; surname

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 貝 represents the meaning and 卉 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "adornment". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“賁,飾也。从貝,卉聲。”

Original meaning

adornment

Components