断袖

duàn xiù

Definitions

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

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