sǒu

old man

Original meaning: 

search for

Depicts a hand () holding a torch () in a dark room () looking for something. Based on the original meaning "search for", now written as . The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Components
宀 iconic component

  Iconic component

mián

  

roof

火 iconic component

  Iconic component

huǒ

  

fire

又 iconic component

  Iconic component

yòu

  

(hand), again

Evolution

叟 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)
叟 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
叟 Clerical script Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical script

Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
叟 Regular script Modern

Regular script

Modern
Definitions

 

sǒu

old man; elder; old gentleman

Most common words with 叟
Freq.
Word
Meaning

old man

乔叟

Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400), English poet, author of The Canterbury Tales 坎特伯雷故事集[Kǎn​tè​bó​léi​Gù​shì​Jí]

童叟无欺

Our house offers sincere treatment to all and fair trade to old and young alike.

Component uses

Meaning component in 3 characters (0 verified)

餿

Sound component in 14 characters (2 verified)

餿