套
to cover; to encase; cover; sheath; to overlap; to interleave; to model after; to copy; formula; harness; loop of rope; (fig.) to fish for; to obtain slyly; bend (of a river or mountain range, in place names); tau (Greek letter Ττ)
Closest English meanings
cover·set·trap
The Calligrapher — Wǔ Zétiān 武则天
Tang empress who wrote the Shengxian Taizi Stele, the first cursive-script stele by a woman.
Tang calligrapher (), master of cursive script — known for 《升仙太子碑》. Tang dynasty
Cultural Story
套 means a cover, a set, and a snare. The 红楼梦 (Dream of the Red Chamber) riddles use 套 (a trap) within a trap; 手套 (gloves) warmed the 诗经's hands at the loom. 一套 (a set) of 周礼 rites ordered a court from dawn; 圈套 (snare) caught a 三国 (Three Kingdoms) foe with false retreat. The character is the thing that fits over another.
Common words & phrases
- 手套 gloves
- 一套 a set · a suite
- 外套 coat · overcoat
- 圈套 trap · snare
- 套路 routine · tactic
Read the story behind the character
A 手套 (gloves) pair sells in winter by the entrance; 一套 (a set) of plans downloads to the tablet. 外套 (coat) blocks the wind on the bridge; 圈套 (trap) exposes a scam in the warning text. 套路 (routine) mocks a tired sales pitch online. Fraud warnings flag the 套路 behind a too-easy win. The word still wraps and catches — a kit, a coat, a con.
Own this character
Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Wǔ Zétiān 武则天, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.