侮

Primarily a transitive verb indicating the imposition of inferiority upon another. The semantic range covers:

1. Contempt and Belittlement: Treating someone with disdain, ridicule, or cold dismissal; an act of aggression against another's dignity or status.

2. Underestimation: Taking someone or something lightly; failing to recognize the actual power or capability of an opponent.

• Transitive Verb: Generally functions as [Subject] → [Object].
• Noun Usage: Occasionally appears as a noun meaning "an insult" or "a slight," though this is less common in early texts.

Contrast with 辱 (rǔ): While frequently paired, they operate on different axes. 侮 refers to the outward act of belittling or treating another as inferior, whereas 辱 refers to the resulting state of disgrace, shame, or dishonor.

• Fanqie reading: 文甫 (wǔ).
• Variants: Semantic variant U+3444 occurs in manuscripts with no shift in meaning.