食
ショク, ジキ, く.う, く.らう, た.べる, は.む, ぐい

eat, food

JLPT5 G2 S9 F328

The relevant oracle bone form of this character combines the top element as described in 今 (cover) + a depiction of heaped grain → grain in a covered pile in a storehouse → *eat*; *feed*; *drink*; *consume* → *make a living*. Also, *strike/absorb a blow*, *scold/be scolded*, *defeat/be defeated* and *lose* (territory/market share etc.) (← figuratively eat or be eaten into). (Insect) *bite* is a borrowed meaning via 蝕.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]