About
The character 隶 originates from a pictograph depicting a hand grasping an animal's tail, conveying the meaning "to capture" or "to belong to". Its traditional and more complex form is 隸, which incorporates the phonetic component 柰 alongside the simplified 隶, and this form historically denoted a subordinate, such as a servant or convict, and by extension, a low-ranking government clerk. The clerical script of the Han dynasty, known as 隸書, derived its name from these clerks who commonly used it. Over time, the core meaning of the character shifted from a person in servitude to the abstract concept of subordination and affiliation, as seen in the modern verb 隸屬 (to be under the jurisdiction of). The modern simplified form 隶 retains the essential graphical element 肀, derived from the hand in the original pictograph.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这本书属于图书馆。
古代社会有奴隶和主人。
这些部门都隶属于总公司。
他专门研究汉代的隶书。
废除奴隶制是历史的进步。
该地区的管辖权隶于中央。
清代直隶省的范围很大。
这种字体由篆书演变到隶书。