条款
tiáokuǎn · HSK 7
purview
📜 条款 = 条 (item) + 款 (clause) = a contract clause or article
条 means a strip or itemized entry; 款 means a clause or section of a document. Together 条款 names the numbered items and provisions in a contract, treaty, or set of rules. Sound: tiáokuǎn.
条 — 攵 (tap) + 木 (tree); originally 攸 + 木
Originally written with 攸 (a flowing stream) over 木 (tree), 条 depicted slender twigs or branches of a tree. The meaning extended from 'thin branch' to any long, narrow item, then to 'strip,' 'item,' or 'article' as a measure word. The modern simplified form keeps 攵 over 木.