TSUMUGU · B1 (est.) · 字
素
素 ＝ 糸 ＋ 𠂉
ㄙㄨˋ · sù
noun/adj — plain, undyed; an element, the basic
字源 FORM — what the parts do
糸義silk threads
𠂉義the loose, untrimmed ends hanging down
The old graph carries two tellings: fresh silk (糸) off the loom with its ends still hanging loose (𠂉), undyed and plain; or 糸 under 皕 bì, lending the sound. Either way the white, unworked thread. From the raw and unadorned: the plain (素色), the simple (樸素), then the basic stuff a thing is made of: 元素、要素.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
一束白絲（糸）剛織好，末端還鬆垂著（𠂉）——沒上過一點顏色。
A skein of white silk (糸) fresh off the loom, ends still hanging loose (𠂉) — not a trace of dye on it.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)素色、白— plain, undyed white
→樸素、素食— simple; plain (no meat)常用
⇒元素、要素— element; a basic constituent常用
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension