延べ
のべ · nobe · JLPT N1 · noun
future
延 = extend + のべる = stretch out: add up every stretched-out part for the total
延べ棒 is gold stretched out into a bar. The same root gives 延べ人数, a total head count where repeats each count. 延べ払い stretches payment over time.
延 — 廴 (long stride) + 㥯/丿 + 止 (foot)
延 originally depicted a foot (止) on a road or path (廴), suggesting walking a long way. From this came the meanings 'to extend,' 'to prolong,' and 'to delay.' The modern form retains 廴 on the left as the semantic clue for movement and extension.