The kanji 隷 primarily conveys the meaning of "servant," "slave," or "subordinate." It implies a relationship of servitude, dependence, or being under the control of another. The character reflects a state of being bound or obligated to serve.

・On-yomi (音読み): レイ (rei) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): しもべ (shimobe)

⚫︎ 奴隷 (dorei) Translation: slave ⚫︎ 家来 (kerai) Translation: retainer; vassal; servant ⚫︎ 隷属 (reizoku) Translation: subjugation; servitude

The kanji 隷 is a pictophonetic compound. The left side is a part of the character 木 (ki) which means "tree." The right side is 聿 (itsu) which is originally related to a brush for writing. The original meaning can be connected to the act of writing as a duty or serving. Over time, it came to represent "servant" or "slave." The tree element might have signified wooden tools used by servants.