シュウ, シュ, おお.い

masses, great numbers, multitude, populace

JLPT1 G6 S12 F450

combines a variant form of # (run together) + net → people running together, the formation likened to a net (compare the similar function of in ) → *crowd*; *multitude* → *populace*. A bronzeware inscription form substitutes for . Later, 血 came to replace , creating the form 衆.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]