shì
generation
Original meaning:
leaf
Depicts three leaves on branches of a tree. Remnant from the top part of 枼. Based on the original meaning "leaf", now written as 葉. The meaning later shifted to "generation", since leaves pile up in hundreds much like a generation.
Evolution
![世 Bronze script Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC) 世 Bronze script Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)](https://data.dong-chinese.com/img/sinica/%E4%B8%96_0.png)
Bronze script
Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)![世 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD) 世 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)](https://data.dong-chinese.com/img/sinica/%E4%B8%96_15.png)
Seal script
Shuowen (~100 AD)![世 Clerical script Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD) 世 Clerical script Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)](https://data.dong-chinese.com/img/sinica/%E4%B8%96_21.png)
Clerical script
Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)Regular script
ModernDefinitions
Component uses
Iconic component in 1 character (1 verified)
Sources
季旭昇《說文新證》p.159
劉志基《中國漢字文物大系》Vol 3, p.70