シ, いち, い, ち

market, city, town

JLPT3 G2 S5 F42

The relevant seal inscription form combines # (stand straight) and (spread level/flat) → straight line of stalls/shops comprising a *market* → *buying/selling*; *transaction*; *have dealings* → *city* (← place where many gather). There is no etymological connection with .

[Full Kanji Etymology List]