TSUMUGU · B2 (est.) · 字
唯
唯 ＝ 口 ＋ 隹
ㄨㄟˊ · wéi
adv — only, alone; interjection — yes (a respectful assent)
字源 FORM — what the parts do
隹聲zhuī — gives the sounda short-tailed bird
IFzhuī → wéi — initial and rime both moved
A mouth (口) giving its one answer — "yes," and from it, only, alone. 隹 zhuī, the short-tailed bird, carries the sound, the same donor under 惟 and 維, worn here to wéi. From the single assent: 唯一、唯獨.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
問到誰，只有那張嘴（口）應了一聲——就那一個。
Of all asked, only that one mouth (口) answers — only it, alone.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)唯一、唯獨— only, alone常用
→唯命是從— nothing but — to obey absolutely
(假借)唯唯諾諾— yes, yes — meek assent
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension
關 · Related
惟wéiswaps for 忄 — the thinking "only," same sound維＝ 糸 ＋ wéiswaps for 糸 — to tie, to hold, same sound