公

Glyph origin


The traditional interpretation as given by  is that 公 is a compound of (= ) and  (original form of ), i.e. the opposite of “private” — “public”. This theory is supported by Sun Yirang and Qiang Kaiyun, despite the somewhat different shape of the bottom component from 厶.

This is disputed in modern times by Gao Hongjin, who thinks that the 八 on top stands for and the bottom round component  symbolises a generic object. 公 thus represents “equally dividing resources so that they are communal”.

Another theory put forth by Zhu Fangpu is that 公 is a, being the original form of , and later borrowed for the meanings of “public” and “male of older generation or higher rank”.

Etymology

 * "fair; impartial; public"
 * From ; cognate with 🇨🇬,, considering that "middle" may be semantically associated with "balance".


 * "male of older generation or higher rank; duke; male (of animals)"
 * This word has been connected to .  also includes  in this word family.
 * provisionally sets up 🇨🇬, also comparing it to ; compare 🇨🇬,, 🇨🇬, as in , . Alternatively, STEDT also compares it with 🇨🇬, whence , but considers it less probable.
 * suggests a origin; compare 🇨🇬 and 🇨🇬 (whence ). Compare also 🇨🇬, from 🇨🇬, which may also be from 🇨🇬. 🇨🇬 ~  may be borrowed from Chinese.

Definitions

 * 1) public; communal
 * 2) fair; equitable
 * 3) to make public; to announce
 * 4) international; universal
 * 5) duke
 * 6)  male
 * 7)  male
 * 8)  old man or a man of high status
 * 9) grandfather
 * 10) father-in-law
 * 11)  heads
 * 1) duke
 * 2)  male
 * 3)  male
 * 4)  old man or a man of high status
 * 5) grandfather
 * 6) father-in-law
 * 7)  heads
 * 1)  old man or a man of high status
 * 2) grandfather
 * 3) father-in-law
 * 4)  heads
 * 1) grandfather
 * 2) father-in-law
 * 3)  heads
 * 1)  heads

Descendants
Others:

Etymology 2
From.

Noun

 * 1)  a European sovereign prince
 * 2)  a duke; in China and Vietnam, an alternative to, used by certain dynasties for princes
 * 1)  a duke; in China and Vietnam, an alternative to, used by certain dynasties for princes
 * 1)  a duke; in China and Vietnam, an alternative to, used by certain dynasties for princes

Etymology
From.