テイ, ひく.い, ひく.める, ひく.まる

lower, short, humble

JLPT2 G4 S7 F435

The relevant oracle bone form of this character shows heaped earth with a line underneath, indicating the bottom of a pile. Later, however, this element was replaced by # (low). adds person → person hanging the head *low* → *lower*; *short*.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]