約 (yuē)

treaty, covenant, agreement

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 糹 represents the meaning and 勺 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "bind". The meaning later shifted to "agreement", "restrain", "keep under control", "appointment", and "approximately".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“約,纏束也。从糸,勺聲。”

Original meaning

bind

Components