ホ, ホウ, たも.つ, う, お, ぶ, もり, やす, やすし

protect, guarantee, keep, preserve, sustain, support

JLPT1 G5 S9 F146

The relevant oracle bone form of this character combines # child + person → child protected by being wrapped in a cloth (compare the replacement character 褓) and carried on the back of an adult → *protect*; *protection* → *preserve*; *maintain*; *retain*; *keep*. For the idea of enveloping a child in protection, compare .

[Full Kanji Etymology List]