度

Originally depicted in oracle bone inscriptions as 石 (stone) combined with 又 (hand), symbolizing the act of measuring with a stone or weight.

In later scripts, the form evolved: 石 was reshaped into a form under 广 with 廿 (twenty), giving the recognizable structure of 度.

Interpretations differ:

As a phono-semantic compound, with 石 or 庶 as the phonetic element.

As a compound ideogram, showing the act of measuring or setting a standard.

Semantic range:

- rule, law, regulation;

- measurement, degree, extent;

- limit, moderation (e.g., “to exceed the limit”);

- to measure, to estimate, to consider.

법도 (法度) — law, order, regulation

정도 (程度) — degree, extent, level

속도 (速度) — speed

각도 (角度) — angle, degree

태도 (態度) — attitude, stance

제도 (制度) — system, institution

풍도 (風度) — demeanor, bearing

탁도 (濁度) — turbidity (measure of cloudiness in liquid)