隶 lì subordinate
subservient
How it came to be
A hand closing on a tail from behind: catching an animal by the last part that can be reached. Whatever is caught that way belongs to whoever has hold of it.
用法
- Subordination/belonging under: 奴隶 (núlì) slave, 隶属 (lìshǔ) to be subordinate to / under the jurisdiction of - 该部门隶属总公司 (gāi bùmén lìshǔ zǒnggōngsī) this department reports to head office.
- Also names a clerical script style: 隶书 (lìshū), the flat, formal Han-dynasty calligraphy.
- 隶属 is the administrative 'belongs under' word for organizations and territories.