bottom, sole, depth, bottom price, base, kind, sort
底 centers on the lowest part or foundation of something: the bottom of a container, the sole of a foot, the depth of a situation, or the base price. The 'kind' and 'sort' meanings are rare and likely stem from the idea of a fundamental nature.
底 combines 广 (building or shelter) with 氐, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of a base or foundation. Together they suggest the bottom or lowest part of a structure.
Inside a building (广), the lowest point (氐) is the bottom. Picture the foundation of a house: that's the 底, the very base.
For テイ, imagine reaching the bottom of a deep tea cup: tea -> テイ, and the last sip is at the very bottom.
bottom; sole
thoroughness; completeness; consistency
thorough; exhaustive; complete
bottom of the ocean; seafloor; seabed
(cannot) possibly; (not) by any means; (not) at all; utterly; absolutely
bottom of one's heart; depths of one's mind; innermost thoughts; real intentions
root; basis; foundation
base (of a polygon)
very bottom; rock bottom
The Lower Depths (1902 play by Maxim Gorky)
depths; deep place
raising (the standard)
depths of the earth
hidden reserves of strength; latent energy; potentiality; real strength
bottomless; endlessly deep; infinite
bottom; underside; base
base; basis; foundation
thick soles; thick-soled footwear
bottomless (bucket, etc.)
bottom of the water; bottom of the sea; river bottom