率 (lù)

rate; frequency

Etymology

Pictograph of a rope with four dots representing bits of threads. Based on the original meaning "rope". The meaning later shifted to "lead", "follow", "standard", "rate", and "frequency".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“率,捕鳥畢也。象絲罔。上下其竿柄也。”

Original meaning

rope