deep hollow, gouge, dig out
穵 centers on creating a deep hollow by forceful removal: gouging, digging out, or making a deep hole.
穵 combines 穴 (hole, cavity) with 乙, which may represent a bent tool or the act of scooping, together suggesting gouging out a deep hollow. The exact historical development is uncertain.
The top 穴 is a hole, and the bottom 乙 looks like a bent tool or a hook. Imagine using a curved tool to dig deep into a hole, gouging out a hollow.
For アツ, picture gouging a deep hollow with an axe: axe -> アツ, and the axe digs out the hole.