TSUMUGU · TOCFL 1 (est.) · 字
以
ㄧˇ · yǐ
prep — with, by means of; in order to
字源 FORM — what the parts do
以形rendered bare (origin carries no claimed role)
Grammar's quiet tool: with, by, in order to — 可以 grants, 以後 points the road ahead, 以為 holds what you took to be true.
意 · Meanings
(本義)用— to use; by means of常用
→可以— may — usable
→以前、以後— before; after — taking a point as anchor
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension