乂

Glyph origin
— a tool similar to a knife.

Etymology
Sense "regulate, govern, orderly" is derived from "to mow, cut, reap"; this sense's origin is ambiguous, possibly from "to cut" > "to trim", etc.. If so, see for etymology.

Alternatively, from (ibid.)

Definitions

 * 1) to govern; to control; to manage; to regulate
 * 2) to nurture
 * 1) to nurture
 * 1) to nurture

Definitions

 * 1) to discipline; to punish