挈

qiè

㓞 + 手

Definitions

qiè to raise; to lift; to take along (e.g. one's family)

Etymology phono-semantic

hand

Semantic: 手 Phonetic: 㓞

About

挈 (qiè) is a phono-semantic compound: 手 (hand) at the bottom provides the semantic category of manual action, while 㓞 (qiè) above, made of 丰 and 刀 (knife), gives the sound and also suggests carving or cutting. Originally denoting the action of lifting or carrying an object suspended from the hand, the meaning later broadened to include taking along, leading, and assisting, as seen in 提挈 (tíqiè) 'to guide or support'.