equal, head, counter for small animals, roll of cloth
匹 centers on pairing or matching: something equal to another, a roll of cloth as a matched unit, or counting small animals as individual matched items. The 'head' sense is an older counting word for animals that fits the same idea of a single matched unit.
匹 originally depicted a bolt of cloth, with the outer shape suggesting a container and the inner strokes the folded cloth. The counting and matching meanings developed from the idea of a paired or matched unit.
The outer 匚 is like a box or frame, and inside 儿 looks like legs. Imagine matching two equal rolls of cloth stored in a box, or counting small animals by their legs inside a pen.
For ヒツ, picture a tailor using a roll of cloth to make a perfect fit: 'fits' sounds like ヒツ, and the cloth is measured in equal rolls.
counter for small animals
to be a match for; to rival; to equal; to compare with; to be equivalent to
lone wolf; loner; self-reliant person
thousand earthworms (as a description for a vagina that has many folds and provides extraordinary pleasure during intercourse)
one (small animal)
The Three Little Pigs (fable)
pair; couple (husband and wife)
equal; match
man of humble position; commoner; ordinary man
rash courage
one cannot shake the will of even the lowliest man; a person's will should be respected; even a menial deserves his convictions
coarse men and women
coarse woman; country woman
doing something on one's own without another's help
much ado about nothing; great cry and little wool; the mountain laboured and brought forth a mouse
several animals
completely deserted
shining example of a man
one roll of silk
thank you; thanks