The story of 紇

knot

紇is composed of 糸(silk) and 乞(to beg). 乞 comes from 气(air, also means breath) with one stroke omitted, which has the meaning of termination lack or inadequacy , so 紇 means knot made of a rope or string. On the other hand, 乞 also has the meaning of lack or inadequacy, so 紇 also silk means silk with inferior quality.