Left mound radical —
阝 on the LEFT is the compressed form of
阜 (hill, earthwork), distinct from right-side
阝 which is
邑 (city). Indexes
陆 firmly in the land-and-elevation family:
阵 array,
陡 steep,
院 courtyard. A
陆 is a continent or stretch of dry land — the radical states 'this is about ground/elevation'.
