Chinese character 缓

It slows, eases, or delays, depending on the word. 缓慢 describes slow movement, 缓解 means easing pain or a problem, 缓和 softens tension, and 延缓 postpones action. Read the whole compound: 缓 does not have one fixed English equivalent.

The silk-and-thread component links slackening with easing. Chinese references cite forms in manuscripts from the ancient states of Chu and Qin. The early Chinese dictionary Shuowen Jiezi records 𦅻 and gives 緩 as a reduced form. 缓 is the simplified form of 緩; Japanese also uses 緩.