明
メイ, ミョウ, ミン, あ.かり, あか.るい, あか.るむ, あか.らむ, あき.らか, あ.ける, あ.け, あ.く, あ.くる, あ.かす, あきら, あけ, あす, きら, け, さや, さやか, とし, はる, み, め

bright, light

JLPT4 G2 S8 F67

Originally, 月 moon + 向# (ventilation hole) → *bright* moonlight streaming through an *open* window, and manifesting the hidden → *brightness*; *light*. Extended meanings from the idea of the light of dawn (signaling the end of one day and the start of the next) include *spend/pass* (the night); *be visible*; *the next/following* (day/week/year); *begin*; *end*; and *dawn*. *Disclose* and *confide* are extended senses of "open" (open up to), as are *clarity*; *evident* and *obvious*. *Be conversant with* is via the idea of illumination, here with respect to a particular subject matter. The reading ミン refers to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

[Full Kanji Etymology List]