zhǐzhī

only

Depicts a hand () holding a bird (). is used as a measure word for birds, as well as some other animals and objects.

Components
隹 meaning component

  Meaning component

zhuī

  

bird

又 meaning component

  Meaning component

yòu

  

(hand), again

Depicts a hand.

Evolution

隻 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)
隻 Bronze script Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze script

Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
隻 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
隻 Regular script Modern

Regular script

Modern
Definitions

() 

zhī

single, one of pair, lone; classifier for birds and certain animals, one of a pair, some utensils, vessels etc

Most common words with 隻
Freq.
Word
Meaning

only

只是

merely

只要

if only

只能

can only

只不过

only