耐 (nài)

(bound form) to bear; to endure; to withstand

Etymology

Pictograph of a beard (而) being removed from the face by a hand (寸). Based on the original meaning "make the head bald as punishment", now written as 髡. The meaning later shifted to "tolerate" and "endure".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“耏,罪不至髡也。从而,从彡。耐,或从寸。諸法度字从寸。”

Original meaning

make the head bald as punishment

Components