Source: Make Me a Hanzi.
叉 is a small picture: 又, a right hand, holds 丶, an object. That gives the first sense, 'to hold with fingers,' which grew to 'fork' and 'to cross.' Other readings branch out: chà 'to fork,' chǎ 'to open,' chá 'to cross' or 'to block.'
Sign in to add this word to your private lists.