TSUMUGU · TOCFL 2 (est.) · 字
盒
盒 ＝ 合 ＋ 皿
ㄏㄜˊ · hé
noun — a box, case (with a lid)
字源 FORM — what the parts do
皿義a vessel, dishthe dish at the bottom
A vessel (皿) that closes (合) — lid meeting base, the two halves fitting shut. 合 does double duty: it gives the sound hé and the very picture of a lid coming down to fit. From the closing dish: a box, a case (盒子、飯盒).
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
底下一個皿（皿），蓋子往下一合（合）——扣緊，成了盒。
A dish below (皿), the lid coming down to meet it (合) — clicked shut, it's a box.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)盒子、飯盒— a box, case常用
→盒裝— boxed; to hold in a case
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension