Etymology:

Elements  ----  One thousand 千 + back  北. Phonetic series 北?.

Originally oppose, violate. In the center it was a ram’s head with its horns in opposed directions, at both sides two people back to back. Now it is the person who gives his back 北 to the society (one thousand 千 people). Oppose (the ram gives its back) > leave (give its back and leave) > mistake > difficult to fit (the person who leaves) > remarkable (the person who leaves, it is different) > clever, good > beautiful.

Main Words:

刁乖 diāoguāi cunning; wily.
乖剌 guāilà perverse; contrary to reason.
乖离 guāilí contradict; deviate from.
乖舛 guāichuǎn mistake; error.
乖乖 guāiguai little dear; darling// well-behaved; obedient.
乖觉 guāijué alert; quick.

Discussion and sources

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