「屰」字構形演變研究

The Research of Character「屰」(Ni)Formation Development

「屰」甲骨文作「□」，字从倒「大」，但在實際用例中，「屰」常寫成「□」，豎筆往上突出，另一方面「牛」也常作「□」，遂導致「屰」、「牛」構形相混，僅能透過偏旁制約或上下文意加以區別。到了戰國時代，楚簡中出現一種頗具特色的「屰」字，字形也是豎筆往上突出，溯其源流，正由甲骨文「□」形寫法演變而來，此中的演變方式，格外值得探討。除了倒「大」之外，甲骨文還有倒「天」之形，學者罕言之，本文進一步討論。金文中有種刻意凸出腳盤的「屰」，近出清華貳〈繫年〉簡107見一例保留此種古體的寫法，可謂一字千金。
《說文》小篆「屰」作「□」，但就出土文獻來看，它是晉系「屰」字的標準構形，許慎據以為秦代小篆，恐為失誤。這類屬於晉系寫法的之「□」，在近出的〈繫年〉、〈祝辭〉等楚國竹簡中也出現同樣寫法，箇中緣故，值得進一步研究。郭店〈成之聞之〉簡39「不大常」一句，筆者認為「」下从「朔」當讀作「逆」，指迎受、接受。
本文針對「屰」字進行梳理，希望對其構形分類與演變軌跡有更深入的瞭解。

In ancient inscriptions on bones, 「屰」is formed as「□」which is similar to the upside down type of「大」. It has been written as 「□」as well in the practical cases. On the other hand, character「牛」has quite similar shape with「□」that is easily to be confused between these two characters. Understanding the meaning from context is the only way to differentiate. In Era of Warring States, 「屰」is the character in special formation with vertical written way. Dating from its origin, 「屰」is developed from the formation of 「□」 in ancient inscriptions on bones.
「屰」is a standard formation in Jin system according to unearthed relics. However, it might be incorrect in Shuo Wen from Hsu-shen's opinion which proposed 「屰」as 「□」. There are similar formations for 「」in Jin's system that can be found in Chu's bamboo scripts, that is , Hsi Nien and Chu Tsz. Therefore, the development way of this character is worthy to be deeply research.
This research has systematically analysis focus on character 「屰」, the main purpose is to be helpful for the understanding of 「屰」formation development.