隶

隷/隸
lì

Definitions

lì (noun) subordinate; servant
lì (verb) to belong to; to attach to

Etymology

Depicts a hand (又) grabbing a tail (尾) from behind. Based on the original meaning "catch from behind", now written as 逮. Also used as the simplified form of 隸.

About

隶, now used as the simplified form of 隸, originally depicted a hand (又) grabbing a tail (尾) from behind, meaning 'to catch from behind' (now written 逮). Its meaning shifted from the action to a captured person, denoting a slave or servant, a person of low status bound to a master, and later broadened to being subordinate or attached to a higher authority. It also refers to the clerical script, an angular calligraphy style that historically standardized the writing system for administrative and bureaucratic documents.

Example Sentences Hide

这本书属于图书馆。

Zhè běn shū shǔyú túshūguǎn.

This book belongs to the library.

古代社会有奴隶和主人。

Gǔdài shèhuì yǒu núlì hé zhǔrén.

Ancient societies had slaves and masters.

这些部门都隶属于总公司。

Zhèxiē bùmén dōu lìshǔ yú zǒnggōngsī.

These departments are all subordinate to the head office.

他专门研究汉代的隶书。

Tā zhuānmén yánjiū hàndài de lìshū.

He specializes in studying the clerical script of the Han Dynasty.

废除奴隶制是历史的进步。

Fèichú núlì zhì shì lìshǐ de jìnbù.

Abolishing slavery was progress in history.

该地区的管辖权隶于中央。

Gāi dìqū de guǎnxiáquán lì yú zhōngyāng.

The jurisdiction over this region belongs to the central government.

清代直隶省的范围很大。

Qīngdài zhílì shěng de fànwéi hěn dà.

The territory of the directly subordinate province in the Qing Dynasty was very large.

这种字体由篆书演变到隶书。

Zhè zhǒng zìtǐ yóu zhuànshū yǎnbiàn dào lìshū.

This type of font evolved from seal script to clerical script.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

康 逮 棣 埭 隸 隷

Component: 隶

康 逮 棣 埭 隸 隷

Example Words

奴隶 隶属 奴隶主 奴隶制 直隶 隶书