Outer indexing gate radical
门 — simplified from
門 (a pair of swinging doors). Anchors
闲 in the gate family alongside
间 (between),
问 (ask),
闭 (close),
闯 (rush in).
闲 originally depicted a horizontal bar (
木 wood) placed across the gate — a barricade making it impossible to leave, hence "shut in, idle, leisure."