蒙 (méng)

(literary) sincere; honest; genuine

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 冡 represents the sound. Originally the name of a plant, later meanings coincide with the original meaning of 冡 (to cover).

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“蒙,王女也。从艸,冡聲。”

Original meaning

a parasitic vine

Components