瑟缩 (sè suō) — to shrink or cower (from cold or fear); to rustle (in the air, of leaves, etc.)

Definition

A literary verb meaning to curl up and shrink — usually from cold or fear, occasionally to describe a dry, rustling sound. Much more formal and written than everyday words like 缩.

verb
to shrink or cower (from cold or fear)to rustle (in the air, of leaves, etc.)

Examples

  • 瑟缩。
    Tā lěng dé sè suō zài jiǎo luò lǐ.
    He was so cold he curled up in the corner.
  • ，瑟缩。
    Tīng dào léi shēng, xiǎo gǒu xià dé sè suō qǐ lái.
    Hearing thunder, the puppy cowered in fear.
  • ，瑟缩。
    Qiū fēng fú guò, shù yè sè suō zuò xiǎng.
    The autumn wind blew, the leaves rustled.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
珡珡qínmusical instrument
Sound part声符shēngfú
必
必bì瑟sè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape of 瑟 combines 珡, a musical-instrument part, with 必 to give the sound.

Open 瑟 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 縮; 缩 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìstring, thread
Sound part声符shēngfú
宿
宿sù縮suō
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 縮 pairs 糸 (string, thread) with 宿, which gives the sound; the simplified 缩 is a shorthand.

Open 缩 →

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