乍 (zhà)

at first; suddenly; abruptly; to spread; (of hair) to stand on end; br

Etymology

Pictograph of a blade for cutting trees. Original form of 柞. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“乍,止也。一曰亡也。从亡,从一。”

Original meaning

cut wood