蔭

Han character

 * 1) shade, shelter
 * 2) protect

Glyph origin
.

Definitions

 * 1) shade of a tree; shadow

Definitions

 * 1) without sunlight, cool and wet
 * 2) to hide from view; to conceal; to cover
 * 3) to protect; to shelter
 * 4) favor from one's ancestors
 * 5)  cellar, darkroom
 * 1)  cellar, darkroom
 * 1)  cellar, darkroom

Etymology 1
The sense “shade” is from a reading of  which is reflected as modern Mandarin yīn. This reading is not recorded in ', but is found in ' as the fanqie of and, and is the same as the original character  (“shade” and a few other meanings).

The senses “shelter” and “benefit from ancestors” are from. Compare modern Mandarin yìn.

The kan'on pronunciation, so likely a later borrowing.

Affix

 * 1) shade of the tree; shadow of the sun
 * 2) backing; assistance; shelter
 * 3)  benefit (such as position, rank) from one's ancestor

Etymology 2
From.

The goon pronunciation, so likely the initial borrowing.

Affix

 * 1)  benefit (such as position, rank) from one's ancestor

Noun

 * 1)  under the  system,