TSUMUGU · TOCFL B2 (est.) · 字
壽
壽 ＝ 老 ＋ 𠷎
ㄕㄡˋ · shòu
noun — long life, longevity; lifespan; a birthday
字源 FORM — what the parts do
𠷎聲the lower stack carries the sound; worn from the old phonetic
The top is 老 cut short — the old-age element, standing for long life. The long winding stack beneath once held a clear sound-piece, since worn down past easy reading. From long life: 壽命、長壽, the years a person reaches — 高壽、壽星, and the birthday that marks them — 祝壽、壽辰.
意 · Meanings
(本義)壽命、長壽— long life, longevity常用
→高壽、壽星— old age, the aged
⇒祝壽、壽辰— a birthday (of an elder)
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension