酋 (qiú)
tribal chief
Etymology
Depicts a container of wine. Based on the original meaning "wine-master". The meaning later shifted to "elder" and "chief".
Shuowen Jiezi
《說文》：“酋，繹酒也。从酉，水半見於上。《禮》有‘大酋’，掌酒官也。”
Original meaning
wine-master
Components
- 八 (distinguishing) — Mark added to distinguish this character from 酉.
- 酉 (sound, iconic) — Depicts a container of wine.