cán

silkworms

Components
兓 sound component

  Sound component

jīn

  

sharp

日 unknown component

  Unknown component

  

sun

虫 meaning component

  Meaning component

chóng

  

bug, insect

insect

虫 meaning component

  Meaning component

chóng

  

bug, insect

insect

Evolution

蠶 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
蠶 Clerical script Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Clerical script

Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
蠶 Regular script Modern

Regular script

Modern
Definitions

() 

cán

silkworms; silkworm

Most common words with 蠶
Freq.
Word
Meaning

silkworm

蚕食

fig. to embezzle progressively

蚕丝

natural silk (secreted by silkworm)

蚕豆

fava bean

养蚕

to raise silkworms