máo

藑茅

Word · NounTraditional茆

a kind of water plant (Makino); surname

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 3 examples
1.

noun

a kind of aquatic plant (water shield, Brasenia schreberi or Nymphoides peltata) mentioned in ancient texts

archaic

This character is used in classical Chinese texts to refer to a specific aquatic plant. In modern usage, it is more commonly seen as a surname.

 《
Shī诗
jīng经
 》
zhōng中
tí提
dào到
de的
máo茆
 ，
jí即
jīn今
zhī之
chún莼
cài菜
 。

The 'máo' mentioned in the Book of Songs refers to what is known as water shield today.

Shēn深
pǔ浦
zhī之
zhōng中
 ，
shēng生
yǒu有
fú凫
kuí葵
 ，
gǔ古
rén人
wèi谓
zhī之
máo茆
 。

In deep ponds grows the water shield, which ancient people called 'máo'.

2.

noun

surname Mao

Used as a family name. Distinct from 茅 (máo, thatch).

Máo茆
xiān先
sheng生
shì是
yī一
wèi位
zhù著
míng名
de的
lì历
shǐ史
xué学
jiā家
 。

Mr. Mao is a famous historian.