Definitions

zhí the sole of the foot

Etymology phono-semantic

foot

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character is a phono-semantic compound of the foot radical (zú) and the phonetic (shí, 'stone'). Its primary meaning is the sole of the foot or metatarsal region in humans and animals. Though used in medical terminology, it appears far more frequently in classical philosophical texts as the name of the legendary rebel Robber Zhi (盗跖), a usage that dominates its literary occurrences.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern