色 (sè)

color; CL:種|种[zhong3]; look; appearance; sex

Etymology

Depicts a kneeling person (卩) being pushed down by a hand (爪). Based on the original meaning "press down", now written as 抑. The current meaning "color" is a phonetic loan.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“色,顏气也。从人,从卪。,古文。”

Original meaning

press down

Components