コウ, あつ.い, あか, あ, あっ

thick, heavy, rich, kind, cordial, brazen, shameless

JLPT2 G5 S9 F768

The relevant bronzeware inscription form is 高# high/tall (written upside down; compare 覃) + cliff/shape indicator → tall cliff → *thick*; *heavy* (← cliff composed of thick, heavy rocks) → *cordial*; *warm*(hearted) (← lay on kindness thickly).

[Full Kanji Etymology List]