TSUMUGU · TOCFL 1 · 字
謝
ㄒㄧㄝˋ · xiè
verb — to thank; to decline, to wilt
字源 FORM — what the parts do
IFshè → xiè
Words (言) for taking one's leave — the first sense is to excuse oneself and withdraw. Out of the parting words grow the apology and the thanks: 謝謝、感謝. Flowers take their leave too: 花謝了. 射 shè gives the sound, worn to xiè.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
客人起身說了告辭的話（言），主人一路送到門口。
The guest rises with parting words (言); the host walks him to the gate.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)辭謝— to take leave, to decline
→謝謝、感謝— to thank常用
⇒凋謝— to wilt — the flower's leave-taking
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension