毨 (xiǎn) - To preen or clean feathers & (of birds) to shed old feathers and grow

毨Tone 3

xiǎn ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

毨 · xiǎn

To preen or clean feathers;

(of birds) to shed old feathers and grow new ones;

tidy, neat.

To preen or clean feathers(of birds) to shed old feathers and growtidy, neat.

Usage highlights

Preening feathersNeat plumageMolting birdTidy appearanceFeather grooming

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The bird is preening its feathers (鸟在毨毛).
  • After molting, its plumage became neat and tidy (换羽后羽毛变得毨齐).
  • This term describes the molting process in birds (这个词描述鸟类换羽过程).

Collocations

  • Preening feathers(毨毛)
  • Neat plumage(毨羽)
  • Molting bird(毨鸟)
  • Tidy appearance(毨齐)
  • Feather grooming(毨理)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Derived from ancient descriptions of bird behavior during molting seasons.
  • Rarely used in modern Chinese except in specialized or classical contexts.
  • Represents the natural cycle of renewal and cleanliness in avian life.

FAQ