entries → 尺
TSUMUGU · TOCFL 2 (est.) · 字
尺 character · TOCFL 2 (est.)
尺 ＝ 尸 ＋ 乙
ㄔˇ · chǐ
noun — a foot (length unit); a ruler

字源 FORM — what the parts do

尸形a body bent at the measure — the forearm laid out
乙形the bent stroke trailing off — the hand turning at the wrist
The old graph marks a length along the bent forearm — the body (尸) above, the wrist's turn (乙) trailing below. Ten 寸 make one 尺. From the unit: the ruler that holds it, 尺子; the measure itself, 尺寸; a short reach, 咫尺.

故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by

把前臂（尸）一伸，手腕一彎（乙）——量出這一尺。
The forearm (尸) extended, the wrist turning (乙) at the end — one foot measured out.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)一尺、尺度— a foot (length); measure常用
→尺子、捲尺— ruler, tape measure常用
⇒尺寸、咫尺— dimensions; a short distance
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension
關 · Related
尸shīthe top half standing free — 尸 is the reclining body; 尺 adds the wrist's turn 乙 beneath寸cùnthe smaller measure — ten 寸 make one 尺