How to write 孳

孳 [zī] 1. Same as "孜孜" (to be diligent). 2. To breed; to multiply. - Example usage: 孳生 (to reproduce); 孳乳 (to reproduce or give birth, referring to animals or things that continually generate). - (Verb) Fundamental meaning: reproduction; procreation. - Etymology: Phono-semantic compound. Composed of the component "子" (child), representing the result of reproduction, and the sound element "兹." 1. Same as fundamental meaning (multiply). 2. Same as "滋" (to increase). References: 1. From "Shuowen Jiezi": 孳 means to grow in a hurried manner. 2. From "Shenglei": 孳 implies abundance. 3. From "Book of Documents: Yao's Classic": Birds and beasts reproduce and multiply. 4. From "Liezi: Tangwen": Their population multiplies abundantly. Examples: - 孳生 (to breed); 孳尾 (animal mating and reproduction); 孳牧 (reproductive husbandry); 孳息 (to proliferate); 孳孕 (to give birth); 孳植 (to nurture and foster); 孳蕃 (to increase and proliferate). Cited instances of "孳": 1. Using "孳" in the sense of being diligent. 2. "Mencius": Those who diligently pursue goodness. 3. "Records of the Grand Historian: A History of Xia": I think daily of diligent pursuits. 4. "Book of Han: Biography of Xiao He": It is still necessary to diligently obtain harmony among the people. 5. "Book of Han: Biography of Dongfang Shuo": These men pursue their ambitions day and night. 2. To increase (associated with "滋"). Cited instances: 1. Due to the auspicious signs of continued multiplication. — Annotation from "Rites of Zhou: Heavenly Department: Inner Minister." 2. "Book of Han: Treatise on Law and Calendar": To generate shade for all things. 3. Bao Zhao's "Ode to Wucheng": So many products generated from salt fields. (*Excerpt from Traditional Dictionary Explanation) For further reference, see the entry for "孳尾."