TSUMUGU · TOCFL 3 (est.) · 字
繼
繼 ＝ 糸 ＋ 㡭
ㄐㄧˋ · jì
verb — to continue; to succeed, inherit
字源 FORM — what the parts do
糸義a silk thread
㡭義jì — threads rejoinedthe cut-threads graph (𢇍, the early 絕) written in reverse: cut, turned around, reads continue
A thread (糸) tied back to its broken end. The right side is the old cut-threads graph (𢇍, the early 絕) turned around — cut, reversed, reads continue. Together they write picking up from the break: 繼續、繼承.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
織布機上線斷了，手指找到兩個線頭，打個結——織下去。
A thread snaps at the loom; fingers find both ends, knot them (糸) — the weaving goes on.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)繼續— to continue — join the broken thread常用
→繼承— to inherit, succeed — continue a line
→繼父、繼母— step-father, step-mother — the one who continues the role
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension