領

Phono-semantic compound:

頁 (head) — semantic element, indicating relation to the head or leadership.

令 (command, order) — phonetic element, providing the sound.

Originally denoted the neck or collar of clothing (the part around the head). From this, the sense broadened to “to lead, to command” (as the head leads the body), and further to “to receive” or “to govern territory.”

領導 (영도) — to lead, leader

領受 (영수) — to receive, accept

領域 (영역 — domain, territory

要領 (요령) — gist, essentials

英國領 (영국령) — British territory/possession

In historical usage, attached to official titles to mark concurrent office holding (e.g., 領益州牧 “also holding the governorship of Yizhou”).

In Modern Chinese, 領 still carries both concrete meanings (“collar”) and abstract ones (“to lead, to receive”).