yǐ
already
Original meaning:
a type of snake creature
Derived from 巳. Depicts a snake-like creature. Based on the original meaning "a type of snake creature". The current meaning "already" is a phonetic loan.
Evolution
![已 Bronze script Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC) 已 Bronze script Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)](https://data.dong-chinese.com/img/sinica/%E5%B7%B2_0.png)
Bronze script
Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)Regular script
ModernDefinitions
Component uses
Sound component in 1 character (1 verified)
Simplified component in 1 character (1 verified)
Sources
季旭昇《說文新證》p.979