纬 wěi warp and woof
warp and woof; lines of latitude
How to remember 纬: 纟 silk + 韦 leather = warp and woof. The weaver pulls a strand of red silk across, pats her leather apron, and shows the kids how cloth grows from warp and woof.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
纬 = 纟 silk + 韦 leather
- 纟 silk meaning
- 韦 leather sound
The weaver pulls a strand of red silk across, pats her leather apron, and shows the kids how cloth grows from warp and woof.
How it came to be
Silk gives the meaning and the sign for leather the sound; the word first meant the cross threads of a weave.
How it is used
- The weft (crosswise threads), and lines of latitude: 经纬 (jīngwěi) warp and weft / longitude and latitude, 纬度 (wěidù) latitude (低纬度 low latitudes).
- 经天纬地 (jīngtiān-wěidì) describes the grand talent to order the world. Paired always against 经 (jīng).