埓
pale, picket fence, limits, come to an end
Readings
On'yomi
- レツ
- ラツ
- ラチ
Kun'yomi
- らち.があく
- かこ.い
Meaning
埓 centers on a boundary or enclosure made of stakes: a picket fence or pale that marks limits. The idea of coming to an end extends naturally from reaching a boundary.
Most common words using 埓
- 放埓ほうらつ
licentious; profligate; dissipated; riotous; wild
Study
Etymology
埓 combines 土 (earth) with a phonetic component that also suggests enclosure. The exact historical development of the right side is uncertain, but the character is associated with earthen boundaries or fences.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 土 is earth, and the right side looks like a hand 爫 holding a measuring tool 寸 with a small stake 丿. Picture building an earthen fence by driving stakes into the ground to mark the limits.
Reading mnemonic
For レツ, imagine a row of pickets that looks like a line of letters: L-E-T-S, but pronounced 'lets' as in 'lets you go no further'. The fence lets you go only so far: lets -> レツ.