卒

As a person: A soldier (specifically an infantryman or foot soldier), a servant, or a low-level functionary.

As a process or event: "Finally," "at last," or "in the end"; to finish, complete, or conclude; a formal euphemism for death ("to finish one's course").

Used adverbially to mark the resolution of a sequence (finally/at last) or as a verb meaning to complete a task.

Contrast with 兵 (bīng): While bīng often refers to military force in general or weaponry, zú refers specifically to the individual man filling the rank, often a conscript.

Contrast with 死 (sǐ): zú is a more formal or euphemistic term for death than sǐ.

Semantic variant: U+461A.

In some early texts, this glyph may be interchangeable with 猝 (cù, meaning "suddenly"). If the readings for finality or completion do not fit the logic of the passage, test for "suddenly/abruptly."