攝

1. Physical/Material: To take in, absorb, or gather; typically an active process of appropriation or drawing a substance into another.

2. Administrative: To act as a deputy or hold a position by proxy; exercising authority not inherently possessed (e.g., a regent).

3. Managerial: To administer, handle, or manage affairs.

Primarily used as a transitive verb taking an object (either a material substance or an office/title). In later texts, it appears in compounds to designate "acting" officials (e.g., 攝政).

Unlike 執 (focus on execution of a task) or 掌 (focus on mastery and possession of power), 攝 carries a strong sense of temporality or substitution—a "holding over" rather than permanent ownership. It is distinct from simple assistance (助).

Tang-period reading: /shiɛp/. Simplified variant: 摄.