slave, servant, prisoner, criminal, follower
隷 centers on a person in a subordinate, unfree position: a slave, servant, prisoner, or follower bound to another's will.
隷 is the modern simplified form of 隸. The older form combines 隶 (to reach, to catch) with 柰, which likely contributed the sound. The character originally referred to captives or servants, extending to slaves and followers.
The right side 隶 suggests a hand reaching out to grab something. The left side looks like a person under control. Together, 隷 shows someone caught and held in servitude.
For レイ, imagine a slave laying down a ray of light for their master: lay -> レイ, and the servant follows orders.
slave; servant
subordination; servitude; servility; vassalage; slavery
clerical script (ancient, highly angular style of kanji)
slavery
clerical script (ancient, highly angular style of kanji)
(system of) slavery
(system of) slavery
abolition of slavery
slave labor; slave labour
slaver; slave trader
slave contract (in the entertainment industry); harsh, slave-like long-term contract
servile character (disposition)
Slave dynasty (of India; 1206-1290); Mamluk dynasty
slave ship
emancipation of slaves
Emancipation Proclamation (1863)
slave trade
Sklavenmoral (slave morality, as a philosophical concept of Nietzsche)
sex slave; sexual slavery
sex slave; sexual slavery