總 (zǒng)

to gather, to collect; overall, altogether

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 糹 represents the meaning and 悤 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "bind together", since thread (糹) is used to put things together.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“總,聚束也。从糸,悤聲。”

Original meaning

bind together

Components