TSUMUGU · TOCFL 2 (est.) · 字
牙
ㄧㄚˊ · yá
noun — tooth, molar; tusk, ivory
字源 FORM — what the parts do
牙形rendered bare — upper and lower teeth, drawn locking togetherthe cross in the middle is where the jaws bite shut
The picture of teeth meeting — upper and lower rows drawn interlocked, the cross in the middle marking where they bite shut. Originally the back molars, then teeth at large, then anything tooth-like in shape: 牙齒、象牙、刷牙.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
上下兩排牙咬合，正中一交叉——咬死了。
Upper and lower rows lock together, crossing at the center — clamped shut.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)臼齒、牙齒— back teeth; teeth常用
→象牙、牙雕— ivory; ivory carving
⇒咬牙、牙刷— to grit the teeth; toothbrush常用
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension