餬

A phono-semantic compound consisting of:

飠 (food) — semantic component, indicating something edible or food-related;

胡 — phonetic component, supplying the sound (호 / hú).

Originally, 餬 referred to edible gruel or paste-like food.

Later, the meaning extended to starch paste used as glue.

Semantic development:

- thick porridge or paste;

- starch-based glue;

- by extension: sticky substance.

The transition from edible paste to adhesive paste is natural due to similar texture.

In modern Korean, 餬 is rare and mostly seen in classical or dictionary contexts. Traditionally used to refer to the “glue” applied when attaching paper.

풀칠 (餬漆) — applying paste

餬 is considered more classical;

糊 is dominant in modern usage.