周
シュウ, まわ.り, あまね, しゅ, す, ちか, のり, ひろ, びび, まこと

circumference, circuit, lap

JLPT2 G4 S8 F562

The relevant oracle bone form of this character shows grain crops in a field, growing thickly. A bronzeware inscription form adds 囗 circular enclosure → enclosure encircling a field of grain → *circulate*; → *surroundings* (← surroundings of an enclosure); *circumference*. In derivative characters, 周 may also appear in the form seen for example in 稠, 綢 or 雕.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]