qi4 

frz.:
contrat, pacte
convention
texte écrit sur une tablette de bois que l'on divisait en deux moitiés destinées à chacun des contractants
Adm. impér.: Insigne (plaquette) en deux parties servant de tessère (plaquette ou jeton d'ivoire, de métal, de terre cuite), contremarque ou mandat
graver, sculpter, ciseler
poinçon
 

Possible meanings of nowaday
a contract, an agreement, a bond
in old times a text encraved in a piece of wood.- The wood got divided and each member got one part.
engrave, carve,
deed,
agree,
get along well,
lines on bamboo or wood used as records prior to the invention of writing.
to notch
to adopt, to dedicate to, mournful
a devining instrument
to be separated from
one of the ministers of the Emperor

old version of : notched piece of wood ( done by a knife)

Kangxi Seite 251