crafty, cunning

狡 is composed of the radical 犬 (dog) and 交 (cross). 犬 signifies animal nature or beastliness, while 交 is a pictograph depicting a person with crossed shins, implying crossing or overlapping, and extends to mean mutual comparison. Through comparison, the most extreme one becomes clear. Thus, 狡 refers to the worst aspect of beastly nature, meaning cunning or sly.