entries → 貶
TSUMUGU · C1 (est.) · 字
character · C1 (est.)
貶 =
ㄅㄧㄢˇ · biǎn
verb — to lower, to demote, to disparage

字源 FORM — what the parts do

a cowrie, value and worth
gives the soundfá — drifted to biǎn
IFTfá → biǎn — initial, final and tone all moved off the donor
Worth (貝) taken down — to diminish, to lower in value. 乏 carries the sound fá, worn far to biǎn. From cutting value down: 貶值 to devalue, 貶官 to demote, 貶低 to belittle, 褒貶 to praise and blame.
意 · Meanings
(本義)貶、貶損— to diminish, to lower常用
貶官、貶職— to demote常用
貶低、貶值— to disparage; to devalue常用
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension
關 · Related
the sound it carries — 乏 alone is lacking, weary; 貶 adds for to devaluezhǎthe it shares — 眨 sets beside the eye 目 for to blink; 貶 sets it beside for to lower