掎
pull, hold back
Strokes11
Readings
On'yomi
- キ
Kun'yomi
- ひ.く
Meaning
掎 centers on pulling or holding something back, often with the hand. The two given meanings are closely related: pulling toward oneself and restraining from moving forward.
Study
Etymology
掎 combines 扌 (hand) with 奇, which likely contributes the sound and may suggest an unusual or forceful action. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The hand radical 扌 beside 奇 suggests an unusual hand action. Picture a hand reaching out to pull something strange back, holding it firmly.
Reading mnemonic
For キ, imagine a key turning in a lock to hold a door back: key -> キ, and your hand pulls the key to restrain the door.