眴 (xuàn) - To glance & to look around

眴Tone 4

xuàn ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

信嫣

眴 · xuàn

To glance;

to look around;

to dazzle;

to make eyes;

also used in ancient texts to describe a fleeting or sudden look.

To glanceto look aroundto dazzle

Usage highlights

To glance sidewaysDazzling the eyesMeaningful glanceSudden lookTo signal with eyesConfused look

Synonyms

  • 瞥— to glance
  • 睨— to look askance
  • 顾— to look around

Antonyms

  • 盯— to stare fixedly
  • 凝视— to gaze intently

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He glanced sideways (眴了一眼).
  • The bright light dazzled my eyes (光芒眴目).
  • She gave a meaningful glance (眴视).
  • Ancient texts describe a sudden look (转眴).

Collocations

  • To glance sideways(眴一眼)
  • Dazzling the eyes(眴目)
  • Meaningful glance(眴视)
  • Sudden look(转眴)
  • To signal with eyes(以目眴之)
  • Confused look(瞑眴)

Idioms

  • In the blink of an eye(转眄即逝)
  • To exchange meaningful glances(目眴心招)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used in classical Chinese literature to describe subtle, non-verbal communication through eye movements.
  • Appears in historical texts like 'Records of the Grand Historian' describing covert signals through glances.
  • The character embodies the concept of momentary visual communication in traditional Chinese culture.

FAQ