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断袖

duàn xiù

Definitions

  1. 1. homosexual
  2. 2. see 斷袖之癖|断袖之癖[duàn xiù zhī pǐ]

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Words Containing 断袖

断袖之癖
duàn xiù zhī pǐ

lit. cut sleeve (idiom); fig. euphemism for homosexuality, originating from History of Western Han 漢書|汉书: emperor Han Aidi (real name Liu Xin) was in bed with his lover Dong Xian, and had to attend a court audience that morning. Not wishing to awaken Dong Xian, who was sleeping with his head resting on the emperor's long robe sleeve, Aidi used a knife to cut off the lower half of his sleeve.

Child Words of 断袖

断
duàn

to break

袖
xiù

sleeve